Young girl hospitalised after brutal dog attack

Perth Now

26-05-2025

Parents feared their young daughter was about to be scalped by an off-leash dog during a park visit with her puppy.
Six-year-old Margot McNicol has undergone surgery after being mauled by an American Staffy at Nairne's newest off-leash dog park in the Adelaide Hills on Sunday afternoon.
Margot was at the park with her family and her own puppy when the dog leapt up and grabbed her head.
Hearing her screams, Margot's mother Christina ran to save her daughter from the jaws of the dog.
'She screamed, I ran over, and I saw the dog had her head in its mouth and was pulling her hair like a tug of war,' she told 7NEWS.
WATCH ABOVE: 6-year-old girl requires surgery after being attacked by dog. Margot McNicol required surgery after being attacked by a dog in the Adelaide Hills. Credit: Supplied.
McNicol said it took four adults to get the dog off her young daughter.
'I stabilised my daughter's head and her hair so it couldn't keep pulling because I was really worried it would scalp her,' she said.
Little Margot was rushed to hospital with multiple puncture wounds to her head, along with scratches and bruising.
Margot's father Braedan told 7NEWS his daughter's injuries could have been a lot worse.
'If she was bitten somewhere else on the head because she had multiple bites on her head, it could have been a completely different story,' he said.
Witnesses at the park told 7NEWS that the owner of the dog left quickly and without even apologising. The Woodside Rd dog park at Nairne has only just opened. Credit: 7NEWS
Mount Barker District Council told 7NEWS they are aware of the incident and are investigating.
The owner could face a fine of over $300 and the dog may be put down.
Margot's mother said it should be a lesson to the owner.
'If that is what is the safest (euthanasia) I think that is what should happen,' she said.
'The owner should know better, and I hope this is a lesson to them.'