In a selfless act of heroism, Colin Amatto, a 40-year-old resident of western Sydney, sacrificed his life to save a woman and her child from a brutal dog attack. On that fateful day of January 24, 2019, Colin’s intervention led to a horrifying mauling that claimed his own life.
Colin’s courageous response to the two aggressive dogs inside a house resulted in them turning their ferocity towards him instead. Identified as staffordshire bull terriers, these dogs left Colin with over 80 wounds on his head, body, and limbs. Despite the swift actions of paramedics and their attempts to resuscitate him, Colin never regained consciousness. Devastatingly, after multiple surgeries, his family had to make the heart-wrenching decision to remove life support five weeks later.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Colin’s death deeply affected his family and the community. His heroic act not only spared the woman and her child from further harm but also highlighted the potential dangers posed by aggressive dogs.
During the subsequent inquest, it was revealed that Colin had been living with these dogs for months prior to the incident. While there had been no prior alarming behavior, one of the dogs had previously shown aggression by attacking a real estate agent and causing serious injuries. Sadly, no significant action was taken by authorities at that time, which allowed the dog to remain with its owner.
Deputy State Coroner Carmel Foster presided over the inquest, which aimed to investigate the response of local councils to fatal dog attacks and prevent similar tragedies in the future. As a mark of respect for their loved one’s memory, Colin’s family participated in a traditional smoking ceremony before the proceedings commenced.
As the inquest progressed, it became evident that Colin’s untimely demise acted as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter regulations regarding dangerous dogs. It further emphasized the importance of implementing proactive measures to ensure public safety. While his sacrifice is truly tragic, Colin’s memory will be cherished, and efforts to prevent such incidents will continue in his honor.
