17-Year-Old Girl Dies After ‘Horrific’ Dog Attack While Visiting Friend’s House: ‘Had Her Whole Life Ahead of Her’ By Latoya Gayle

A 17-year-old girl has died after being attacked by a large mixed-breed dog while visiting a friend’s home in Australia.

At around 11:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 4, emergency services were called to Broughton Street in Singleton, New South Wales, where they found Annalyse Blyton with critical injuries to her head, neck and body, NSW Police said in a news release. 

She had been attacked by a 10-year-old dog that was in a fenced yard at the home of the friend she was visiting, local outlets the Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), 7 News and Sky News Australia reported. Passers-by reportedly pulled the dog — a mix of boxer, bull Arab and Irish wolfhound — off Blyton while calling for help.

Blyton was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, but succumbed to her injuries on Monday, Sept. 8, according to NSW Police’s news release.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking,” Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said, per ABC. “When something like this happens, the community gets around one another and I really hope that everybody’s looking after the family as best they can.”

The dog responsible for killing Blyton was “destroyed” by police with the owner’s permission following the attack, per the NSW police news release.

The canine’s owner allegedly described the animal’s actions as “out of character,” while speaking to Acting Hunter Valley Local Area Police Commander Justin Cornes, according to 7 News. 

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the fatal dog attack and a report is being prepared for the coroner. NSW Police did not have additional information to provide when contacted by PEOPLE on Tuesday, Sept. 9. 

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Tributes for Blyton, who was a student at Singleton High School, have since poured in, while support has also been made available for those who knew her.

A Department for Education spokesperson told News.com.au that they were “deeply saddened” by her death while offering their condolences.

“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and the Singleton community,” the spokesperson said, per the outlet. “We are continuing to provide support to students and staff at the school.”

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A GoFundMe that was set up on behalf of Blyton’s family described the attack as “every parent’s worst nightmare.” Almost $10,600 ($16,000 AUD) has been raised to ease the family’s financial pressure as they navigate the situation.

The teenager’s death comes amid a rise in the number of dog attacks in NSW, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. An inquest into seven fatal dog attacks from 2009 to 2023 found that infants and children are at “greater risk because of their size and vulnerability and potentially because of their behaviour around dogs,” deputy state coroner Carmel Forbes said, according to the outlet.

Speaking about Blyton, NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said in a statement obtained by ABC News, “This was a horrific incident that has resulted in the death of a young girl who had her whole life ahead of her.”

“NSW has strong dog control laws to prevent attacks and improve the safety of our communities,” he continued. “The government is currently reviewing the Companion Animals Act 1998 alongside recommendations from recent coronial inquests into fatal dog attacks in NSW.”

NSW Ambulance did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Tuesday, Sept. 9.