The grandmother of a seven-year-old girl allegedly mauled by the grandparent’s prized sheep dog at their Balliang farm never called an ambulance in the belief it wasn’t an emergency, a court has heard.
Denise Wilson’s granddaughter, who the Courier has chosen not to name, was allegedly bitten by Kelpie “Mack” on the farm near Bacchus Marsh on June 22 last year.
A court hearing into the incident has heard the girl was rushed to hospital by her father and later attended the Royal Children’s Hospital where she underwent reconstructive microsurgery to repair her face.
Giving evidence in Ballarat Magistrates Court this afternoon, Ms Wilson, who is charged over the alleged attack alongside her husband Stuart and son Anthony, said her granddaughter had also claimed she didn’t want an ambulance.
“She said ‘I don’t want an ambulance’,” Ms Wilson told magistrate Peter Mithen.
“I said, ‘it doesn’t need an ambulance, it’s not an emergency’.”
The incident has since split the family, with the parents of the victim calling for the dog to be destroyed.
Denise, Anthony and Stuart Wilson are each charged with offences relating to injuries caused by the dog bite.
Prosecuting the case is a lawyer representing the Moorabool Shire Council.
Anthony Wilson also gave evidence today, telling the court the dog was often territorial and didn’t like being touched around the head.
Mr Wilson said Mack was an extremely talented dog which had won a number of awards.
“…the best dog we’ve had on the farm in my life,” he said.
Denise Wilson, speaking of a conversation she had with her granddaughter after the alleged attack, said Christine told her: “Nanny, I think I must have been patting Mack, but now I’m not sure.”
The hearing is expected to conclude on May 27.
