11.45am
Seven-year-old Carolina Anderson was due to leave hospital in Auckland for the second time today still unsure if a vicious dog attack will leave her blind in one eye.
Carolina was savaged by a dog that ripped the skin off her face down to the bone and badly damaged her right eye on January 31.
Last week she was rushed back to Middlemore hospital when an infection developed in her eye.
Doctors gave her intravenous antibiotics and Carolina was due to go home today but her father John Anderson said specialists were unsure how much of her sight would be restored.
"We are on hold again. We won't know anything for some time.
"Because there is so much swelling they can't physically check the vision. They have to open the lids under anaesthetic. There is too much mucus and it is too swollen for them to test where her vision is."
Mr Anderson said there was a lot of physical and nerve damage and it could be some weeks before the fluid drained from around her eye and the swelling went down enough to check her vision.
He said his daughter was very brave but did not want to go back to hospital last week.
"She was very unhappy about going back to hospital again but we tried to keep her entertained with friends."
Mr Anderson said Carolina was coping well.
"She gets bored being here (in hospital) and not being able to do the usual activities she is used to but apart from that she is good and we try to keep her mind off those things with games, visitors and friends."
Since the attack Mr Anderson has been lobbying the Government to introduce tougher dog control laws. He hoped to hear the Government's short-term plans in the next day or two.
"Then we can take a stance on what we are going to do about changes that may take a longer time."
Mr Anderson said he wanted muzzles for large dogs in public places and a ban on some breeds.
He said some owners of large dogs were living a fantasy when they claimed their dogs were loving family pets who had been to obedience school and would never attack.
Some owners would never change and would always want vicious dogs bred for fighting.
Mr Anderson, an Auckland architect, said the attack had cost him at least $10,000 in lost income and other expenses but the priority for him and his wife Sandra Fresia was to be with Carolina.
He urged people to contact their MPs, council and the commissioner for children and demand law changes.
Herald Feature: When dogs attack
How you can help
A trust fund has been opened for 7-year-old dog attack victim Carolina Anderson. You can send a cheque to: Carolina Anderson Trust Account, BNZ, PO Box 46-294, Herne Bay, or donate over the internet to BNZ account number 020 248 000 3002-000.
The Herald is backing an appeal to raise money for a $150,000 operating-room microscope for Middlemore's plastic surgery unit. The microscope is essential in minute plastic surgery work such as reattaching nerves. Middlemore has two, used on Carolina Anderson and the victims of the Pipiroa sword attack, but they need replacing. Donations can be sent to: The Microsurgery Appeal, Editorial Department, New Zealand Herald, PO Box 706, Auckland.
