Calls for 'killer' dog breed to be BANNED after two horrific maulings in one day - including a five-week-old baby

There are growing calls for American Staffordshire terriers to be banned after two vicious attacks in just a matter of hours, leaving a baby dead.

A Central Coast community was rocked on Sunday after a family pet mauled a five-week-old boy to death in his own home after it escaped the neighbour's yard in Kariong.

The dog has since been euthanised, as reports emerge it recently mauled another dog in the backyard of another family's home.

Just hours later, in a separate incident, another American Staffordshire terrier savagely attacked a couple walking their groodle dog in Western Sydney.

Owner Damien Aggio and his wife Tina were strolling down the street in Pemulwuy at about 12pm with their beloved Peaches when 'out of the blue,' the 'killer' dog appeared.

It had escaped its harness and ran across the street before its owner could stop it.

Owner Damien Aggio and his wife Tina (pictured with injuries from the dog attack) were strolling down the street in Pemulwuy at about 12pm with their beloved Peaches when 'out of the blue,' the 'killer' dog appeared

There are growing calls for American Staffordshire terriers to be banned after two vicious attacks in just a matter of hours, leaving a newborn baby dead (stock images)

'I heard the owner yelling, "watch out" and I saw this big dog running across the road straight towards us,' he told Nine News.

'It all happened so quickly. I tried to pick up our dog, but it was too late. The big dog had latched onto her by then.

'I was trying to wrestle it off. I was kicking and punching and I had my thumbs in its eyeballs. But it all made no difference.'

Mr Aggio said it took five people to pull the American Staffordshire off the Groodle which was left with horrific injuries and remains in a critical condition after four hours of surgery costing $6,000. 

With severe wounds to her hindquarters, vets were uncertain if Peaches would make it through the night, but the brave pooch managed to survive.

Cumberland City Council have now seized the American Staffordshire and police are investigating the incident.

With severe wounds to her hindquarters, vets were uncertain if Peaches would make it through the night, but the brave pooch managed to survive.

NSW's banned dog breeds 

In New South Wales there are five dog breeds that are not permitted to be sold, bred or given away.

1. American pit bull or pit bull terriers

2. Japanese Tosas

3. Dogo Argentino (Argentinean fighting dogs)

4. Fila Brasiliero (Brazilian fighting dogs) 

5. Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario dogs

There are now calls for American Staffordshire terriers to also be added to the list. 

It comes after the horrific mauling of a five-week-old boy who was set upon and killed by an American Staffordshire terrier at a home on Jeffs Close in Kariong at 2.20am on Sunday.

Police and paramedics tried to revive the little boy after they rushed to the property, but he was declared dead at the scene.

On Sunday afternoon, district commander Detective Superintendent Darryl Jobson described the situation as 'a matter of tragic proportions'. 

He said the fatal mauling was not the first vicious attack by the family dog - even in the past month.  

Pictured: First responders at a home on the Central Coast after a baby boy was mauled to death by a staffy

The American Staffordshire terrier (stock image) attacked a neighbour's dog just weeks earlier

'A neighbouring dog apparently got into the rear yard and was mauled by this dog, unfortunately,' he said.

'That was a separate incident but that will also form part of our investigation.'

Superintendent Jabson said all first responders who attended the scene will receiving counselling and support after witnessing the devastating scene.

'Our police did perform first-aid upon arrival. They did their best in the circumstances and they are no doubt shaken by the incident,' he said. 

'Anything to do with children of any type, particularly of this nature, is absolutely traumatic.'

The situation unfolded on Jeffs Close in Kariong on the New South Wales Central Coast (stock image of the area)

A five-week-old baby boy has died after being mauled by the family dog on the New South Wales Central Coast

The boy's parents were at home when their son was attacked by the dog, which has since been locked up.

The situation is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner. 

Mr Aggio said American Staffordshire dogs are 'ticking time bombs' and should not be allowed to be kept as pets in Australia. 

'They are dangerous dog breeds bred to kill, not protect. If we didn't have the help that we did our dog would be dead... We were totally helpless, It was five minutes of absolute mayhem,' he said.