Perth mum’s ‘living nightmare’ after four-year-old attacked by dog

A Perth mother is living a nightmare after a friend’s rescue dog mauled her little boy, attacking his face and leaving him with horrific injuries.

Four-year-old Swayde Rangi was savaged during a playdate at his friend’s Yangebup house last month. 

His mother Jasmine Santich is demanding to know why the bull Arab cross, which she claims has a history of bad behaviour, has not been put down.

The child was left with horrific wounds to the eye, ear and forehead

“Obviously I went into an instant state of shock,” Santich said.

The four-year-old underwent multiple surgeries at Perth Children’s Hospital, with more to come. 

“His forehead was exposed to the skull,” Santich said.

“His tear duct had been completely split in half.”

The attack leaving the boy with permanent nerve damage and emotional scarring. 

“If there’s a dog out the front, he’s instantly triggered, it’s like literally living in fight or flight mode all the time,” Santich said.

She claimed the bull Arab cross had attacked twice before, including on another child. 

The council has issued a dangerous dog notice, with lifetime restrictions on the animal including being muzzled when in public.

Its owner is also set to be prosecuted. 

“Where do you draw the line?” Santich said.

“This was significant damage done to a child’s face and if this wasn’t enough then what is?

“It could have been so much worse, and I guess my fear is if this were to happen again, would the next person be so lucky?”

The City of Cockburn says it has no evidence of previous attacks but will investigate further if a victim comes forward and makes a statement.