A man was seriously injured after being attacked by two dogs while jogging through a popular park in Australia, prompting a massive police search and raising new concerns following the discovery of another man’s body nearby.
The attack happened around 6:15 p.m. Friday, October 16, at 7th Brigade Park in Chermside, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland.
The victim, identified by Australian media as real estate agent Ajay Malik, was running along a park pathway when two large dogs suddenly attacked him.
Emergency responders found Malik suffering from severe injuries to his arms, face and legs. He was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition.
Police later confirmed that his condition had stabilized, although he remained hospitalized with significant injuries.
Officers responding to the attack encountered the two dogs and discharged their firearms after determining the animals posed an immediate threat. Both dogs fled, triggering an extensive search involving police helicopters and officers on foot.
One dog was located in the front yard of a nearby home later Friday night. The second was discovered the following morning on the back deck of a house in Wavell Heights, a neighboring suburb.
Both animals survived and were taken into custody by Brisbane City Council.
Authorities described the dogs as an American Staffordshire Terrier-Bulldog mix and a Bulldog-Boxer mix. They were registered with the council and had not previously been classified as dangerous.
Their owner, Layla Evans, told Australian news outlet 9News that the animals, named Louis and Ruby, had escaped from the tent where she had been living.
Evans said she had gone out for dinner with a friend and returned to discover the dogs missing.
According to her account, the animals apparently escaped through a damaged section of the tent.
She expressed devastation over the attack, insisting that her dogs had generally been affectionate and protective rather than aggressive.
However, authorities moved to have both dogs euthanized following the incident.
Brisbane City Council issued destruction orders for the animals, although Evans has the right to challenge the decision within 14 days.
The owner was also arrested shortly after speaking with reporters, but Queensland police emphasized that her arrest concerned an unrelated matter.
The case took another troubling turn Sunday when officers discovered the body of a 48-year-old man in bushland near Kittyhawk Drive, not far from where Malik had been attacked.
Investigators said the deceased man was known to sleep in makeshift camps around the park.
Initially, police treated the discovery as a separate investigation. However, on Monday, October 19, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham confirmed that investigators could not rule out whether the dogs had been involved.
Because of the condition of the man’s body, detectives have been unable to determine whether the animals had any involvement in his death or came into contact with him afterward.
The cause of death remains under investigation, and authorities have not established a connection between the two incidents.
Police are reviewing forensic evidence and have appealed for anyone who witnessed unusual activity in the park between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday to come forward.
The incidents have shaken residents who regularly use 7th Brigade Park for jogging, walking and family activities.
Brisbane officials have emphasized the importance of responsible dog ownership, particularly ensuring that large animals are securely contained and cannot escape into public areas.
Meanwhile, Malik’s family faces a difficult recovery following the attack, while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the second man’s death.
Both dogs remain in council custody as the legal process surrounding their proposed euthanasia continues.
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