A primary school-aged girl has been hospitalised with serious facial injuries after a dog attack in Hillarys on Wednesday afternoon, according to reports.
Emergency services responded to a home in Hillarys, in the City of Joondalup area, at around 3:40pm after reports of a child being attacked by a dog. The girl, who is under the age of 10, was treated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to Perth Children's Hospital.
A spokesperson from WA Ambulance confirmed the girl was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The extent of her facial injuries required emergency medical attention, though officials indicated her condition did not pose an immediate threat to her life.
WA Police initially attended the scene but determined no further police involvement was necessary following their assessment. A WA Police spokesperson said that "subsequent inquiries confirmed the person received medical treatment and there was no requirement for police attendance."
The dog involved in the attack has since been impounded by the City of Joondalup, which is conducting a formal investigation into the incident. Joondalup Mayor Daniel Kingston stated that the council "takes all dog attack reports seriously and is investigating the incident as a matter of priority."
"The City has impounded the dog to remove the risk to local residents and the wider community," Kingston said. The council has urged any witnesses to contact its field officers on 9400 400 to assist with the investigation.
Dog attacks remain a public safety concern for local councils across Western Australia. The Perth Children's Hospital manages trauma cases for children across the state, with emergency services available 24 hours a day.