Toddler saved as grandfather fights dog

By ANGELA GREGORY

An elderly Cambodian man was only metres from the safety of his home when a vicious dog ran at him and knocked over a shopping trolley in which he was giving his granddaughter a ride.

Binh Lam, both his hands heavily bandaged, is recovering from surgery at Middlemore Hospital after the attack which almost severed his left thumb.

Still shaken by the incident, 76-year-old Mr Lam told the Herald through his daughter Nga Lam how he had been returning from the Manurewa shops on Tuesday when the dog went for him.

"He says it was yellow-haired with a big head and huge jaws," Mrs Lam said.

Mr Lam had been terrified, especially as he had his 2-year-old grand-daughter Vanessa Be with him. As the dog leaped at him Mr Lam tried to fight it off.

The trolley tumbled over in the fracas and Vanessa fell out.

Mr Lam grabbed the dog's scruff as it mauled his left hand.

When he pulled the dog off it went for his other hand, biting his fingers, then his knees and groin.

A neighbour grabbed Vanessa and rang for help. Mr Lam managed to run to safety after the dog took off.

Mrs Lam said the family were grateful to their neighbour and Middlemore Hospital plastic surgeon Bruce Peat, who had saved Mr Lam's thumb.

Police say the dog that attacked Mr Lam was a stray mongrel pitbull terrier with short, yellow hair and no collar. Sightings of the dog should be reported to Auckland's animal control on (09) 379-9735.