The identity of a 17-year-old girl, who is fighting for life after being mauled by her friend’s dog, has been revealed.
Annalyse Blyton remains in a critical condition in hospital following the horror attack at a home in the NSW Hunter Valley, on Thursday.
Emergency services were called to a home on Broughton Street, in Singleton, following reports of an unprovoked attack from a large, mixed-breed dog.
It’s understood Annalyse had been studying for exams and was about to leave her friend’s house, when she attempted to pet the dog, which then mauled her.
Police said the teen suffered devastating injuries to her face, neck and back.
Paramedics treated Annalyse at the scene before she was airlifted to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
She remained in intensive care on Friday, with her condition unchanged.
Annalyse’s mother, Lauren, has pleaded for her daughter to keep battling through.
Annalyse Blyton (pictured) is fighting for life after she was attacked by a friend’s dog
‘Fight baby girl, don’t let this defeat you,’ she told Nine. You have so much love and support.’
Ms Blyton said the ‘trauma this is going to leave behind’ was ‘unbearable’.
Bystanders who witnessed the attack rushed to help Annalyse and managed to pull the dog – a 10-year-old, crossbreed boxer, bull Arab and Irish wolfhound – off the teen.
Acting Hunter Valley Local Area Police Commander Justin Cornes praised the bystanders for their bravery.
‘Passers-by were first on scene,’ Mr Cornes said.
‘Certainly running into a scene which they didn’t know the full circumstances and to jump in there and remove the dog, which was at the time obviously very aggressive.’
NSW Ambulance intensive care paramedic Josh Parfrey labelled the incident as ‘confronting’ and said the quick actions of the bystanders were critical.
‘They provided basic first-aid … before the ambulance arrived, trying to stem some bleeding and keep the wounds covered,’ Mr Parfrey said.
Annalyse Blyton (right) was helped by people who were passing by. Police have praised their bravery
Police later euthanised the dog using a service firearm with the owner’s permission.
‘Police … used a service weapon to euthanise the dog to allow emergency services to continue that treatment,’ Mr Cornes said.
‘Speaking to the owners, [they said] that the dog’s actions on the day were out of character.’
First responders at the scene included six NSW Ambulance crews and intensive care paramedics.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, with a critical care paramedic and a retrieval doctor, also attended the scene.
Singleton City Council rangers also assisted.
Mr Cornes confirmed the dog had been inside a fenced yard at the time and the attack did not occur on the street.
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore told ABC her community was reeling from the attack.
The dog that attacked Annalyse Blyton (pictured) has since been euthanised by police
‘I absolutely feel for all those involved – the emergency services and police, council rangers and everyone that’s been helpful in this terrible situation,’ Ms Moore said.
Ms Moore also praised those who rushed to help the teenager.
‘It’s hard to imagine what you do in that sort of situation yourself, but obviously the bystanders did a great job in what they could do,’ she said.
‘It’s just a terrible situation all around for people involved.’
Share or comment on this article:
Teen girl fighting for life after she was mauled by a friend’s dog has been identified