Tuesday, October 25, 2011

German tourist mauled in Sicily in another feral dog attack




Catania, Sicily - A 24-year-old German tourist was in a "critical" condition in Sicily on Tuesday after she was bitten by feral dogs close to where a boy was killed in a similar attack on Sunday.

The woman was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Catania where her life was "in danger" following injuries to the face, chest, abdomen and legs, a hospital official Angelo Pellicano said.

The attack which took place on a beach near the town of Scicli on Italian island's southern coast, came amid growing outrage over what critics say are inadequate measures to deal with stray dogs.

Police have warned locals to stay indoors as hundreds of dogs are believed to be roaming in the area, a popular tourist destination.

On Sunday 10-year-old Giuseppe Brafa died after being bitten in the neck and face by a pack of dogs which hours before in separate attacks had injured a 40-year-old man and another child.

The dogs had escaped from a small-holding whose owner was commissioned by municipal authorities to care for captured strays.

Police later arrested the man on suspicion of animal abuse after dozens of malnourished and sick dogs were found on his property.

The attacks have highlighted the issue of stray or feral dogs in Italy, estimated to number some 400,000 - most of them abandoned pets. (dpa)


http://www.topnews.in/german-tourist-mauled-sicily-another-feral-dog-attack-2140671

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