‘Frightening’: dog attack victim faces long recovery
Laine Clark |
A jogger mauled by dogs near where a man’s body was later found faces a long recovery following the “life changing experience”, a family friend says.
Ajay Malik, 37, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after the “frightening” attack, sparking a police probe that discovered the body in Brisbane’s north.
Police say they are unable to rule out the two dogs that mauled Mr Malik were also involved in the death of the man found in nearby bushland.
Mr Malik suffered “life-threatening” injuries when he went out for a run and was attacked at Chermside about 6.15pm on Friday.
“What should have been an ordinary evening became a frightening, life-changing experience,” family friend Aryan Sirohi posted on GoFundMe.
“Ajay now faces a long recovery, both physically and emotionally.”
Police investigating the attack discovered the 48-year-old man’s body in nearby bushland about noon on Sunday.
The man often slept rough in the area, police said.
“Due to the body’s state of decomposition, police are unable at this time to rule out any potential involvement of the dogs involved in Friday night’s attack,” Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham told reporters on Monday.
“We simply don’t know at this stage if they have contributed to his death or had some involvement post mortem.”
Police said a post mortem showed the man had died sometime on Friday, the same day as the “horrific” attack on Mr Malik.
First responders had rushed to help Mr Malik on Friday with the dogs nearby.
Officers initially tried to subdue the dogs but were forced to open fire, police said.
“I have no doubt that was the only option to those officers to safeguard what could have been another attack,” Supt Massingham said.
The dogs fled but were both located by Saturday morning and are currently in Brisbane City Council custody.
Mr Malik is in a stable condition with “serious injuries”.
“Ajay will be unable to work for a long time,” Mr Sirohi said.
“That means a significant loss of income for him and his wife, at the same time as medical and rehabilitation costs begin to add up.”
Mr Sirohi has launched a GoFundMe campaign which had raised more than $4000 by Tuesday afternoon.
“Ajay is a friend, a family member and a valued part of our community, and no one should face something like this alone,” he said.
AAP