Officials seize dog that domestic helper alleges attacked her twice

A dog that allegedly bit a domestic helper on Christmas Day in a Causeway Bay flat and then mauled her four days later was finally taken away yesterday by government dog catchers, after two earlier attempts by the government to seize the dog.

The mixed-breed dog, called Lucky, allegedly attacked domestic helper Lilibeth Tumaca on the first day of her job with her new employers - a day after arriving in the city.

Ms Tumaca, 31, did not report the incident to police, nor did she seek medical treatment.

But on December 29, as her female employer showed her how to feed the dog with her bare hands, she said it suddenly lunged at her, sinking its teeth into her left forearm and biting her fingers and right arm 'several times'.

However, her male employer denied last night the Christmas Day bite, but admitted Ms Tumaca had been bitten on December 29. He said his wife had taken her immediately to a private doctor, who treated the bite and said she did not need any sick leave. The doctor had described the bite as 'a minor thing'.

Ms Tumaca said that the following day she called 999 and was taken to Ruttonjee Hospital, where she was treated for dog bites. Police and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department were informed.

Ms Tumaca said she was dismissed by her employers on January 7. They said they sacked her because she had not returned to their flat.