A brave and selfless act by 40-year-old Colin Amatto turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when he lost his life while saving a mother and her daughter from a vicious dog attack. The incident occurred in the western Sydney suburb of Tregear on January 24, 2019.
Colin’s heroic intervention came at a great cost. As he rushed to help the woman and child, the dogs turned on him with extreme aggression. Despite his efforts, he suffered a terrifying mauling that ultimately proved fatal. The dogs, described as having pitbull characteristics but identified as staffordshire bull terriers, inflicted more than 80 wounds on Colin’s body.
Emergency paramedics swiftly responded, resuscitating Colin and rushing him to Westmead Hospital. Sadly, he never regained consciousness. After enduring multiple surgeries, his family had to make the heart-wrenching decision to withdraw life support five weeks later.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Colin’s death deeply impacted his family and community. His selfless act not only saved the woman and her child from further harm but also shed light on the dangers posed by aggressive dogs.
During the inquest into the incident, disturbing details about the dogs were revealed. Colin had been living with them for months prior to the attack, and while there were no prior alarming behaviors, one of the dogs had a history of aggression. Two years earlier, it had attacked a real estate agent, inflicting serious injuries. Sadly, no significant action was taken, allowing the dog to remain with its owner.
Deputy State Coroner Carmel Foster presided over the inquest, aiming to examine local councils’ response to fatal dog attacks and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Before the proceedings, Colin’s family participated in a traditional smoking ceremony to honor his memory and cleanse the area.
As the inquest unfolded, it became clear that Colin’s untimely death serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for stricter regulations concerning dangerous dogs and more proactive measures to ensure public safety. Although his sacrifice was tragic, it will not be forgotten, and efforts to prevent similar incidents will undoubtedly continue in his honor.
