WARNING:This story comprises the title and picture of a deceased Indigenous person
A person saved the lives of a lady and baby when he intervened in an attack by two dogs that then turned on him in a mauling of “extreme ferocity”, an inquest has been informed.
Colin Amatto, 40, rushed to the help of a lady and baby who had been bitten by the 2 dogs inside a home within the western Sydney suburb of Tregear on the afternoon of January 24, 2019.
The 40-year-old acted in a “brave fashion” when he intervened and precipitated the dogs to activate him as an alternative.
Counsel aiding the inquest, David Kell SC, informed the court docket that one of many dogs then “savagely” mauled” Mr Amatto in an “attack of extreme ferocity” earlier than the opposite canine joined in.
The 40-year-old sustained “very extensive injuries” that amounted to greater than 80 wounds to his head, physique, and limbs.
The canine’s house owners returned to the home to search out blood protecting the loungeroom partitions, flooring, and on the kitchen door.
Mr Kell stated the house owners reported the 2 dogs have been “covered in blood and their eyes were really big” after the attack.
Both dogs have been described as having pit bull traits however have been recognized as staffordshire bull terriers by an skilled.
The inquest was informed Mr Amatto was mendacity on the kitchen ground, lined in his personal blood and barely aware.
“I can’t breathe,” he stated earlier than dropping consciousness.
Mr Kell stated the canine attack sufferer suffered a cardiac arrest however he was resuscitated by paramedics and flown to Westmead Hospital.
He underwent a number of surgical procedures however didn’t regain consciousness.
Mr Amatto’s household made the heartbreaking choice to show off his life assist 5 weeks later.
Mr Kell acknowledged the “tragic circumstances” of the 40-year-old’s loss of life after the “ferocious” attack.
“Colin was dearly loved by his family,” he stated.
“His death has had a profound impact on them.”
The counsel aiding the coroner stated Mr Amatto’s intervention had saved the girl and baby from additional critical accidents and allowed them to get out of the home.
“It is apparent (the woman and her daughter) are fortunate to be alive,” he stated.
The particulars of Mr Amatto’s loss of life have been revealed throughout an inquest into the circumstances surrounding seven deadly canine assaults that occurred between 2019 and 2023.
The inquest, which has been below approach for weeks, is analyzing the response of native councils to deadly canine assaults as a way to forestall additional tragedies.
The inquest was informed Mr Amatto had lived with the 2 dogs that killed him for months earlier than his loss of life.
“He wrestled with (one of the dogs) at times and it appears he slept with the dogs at night,” Mr Kell stated.
While there have been no points that might have raised alarm bells for Mr Amatto throughout that point, Mr Kell famous one of many dogs had viciously attacked an actual property agent two years earlier.
On July 24, 2017, the canine launched a “fearsome attack” on the person, dragging him into the yard and inflicting critical accidents to his fingers, arms, torso and face.
The man was saved by a close-by teenager, who heard his screams and fended the canine off with a chair.
The canine was seized by authorities however in the end returned to its proprietor after it was decided he had been defending the property.
“It appears no relevant action was taken by NSW Police or Penrith Council,” Mr Kell stated.
Deputy State Coroner Carmel Foster will hear from the sufferer on Monday.
Before the inquest started, Mr Amatto’s household participated in a standard smoking ceremony to cleanse the world.
