An investigation is underway after a boy was bitten by a support dog at his school in New South Wales, Australia.
Six-year-old Blade Fraser suffered cuts to his face after he reportedly tried to give the labradoodle a cuddle.
The child's mother, Kellie Kuczynski, told ABC News the school principal had the dog named Buddy on the lead when Blade approached and asked if he could cuddle him.
"He put his arms up around the dog's neck to cuddle it, and it just mauled him," Kuczynski told the news outlet.
"He had blood all over the collar of his shirt."
The dog is believed to have been attending the school since 2019 to provide students with companionship and emotional support.
SafeWork NSW is investigating the attack and the dog has been permanently removed from the school following the incident.
No other incidents regarding the dog have been officially reported.
Support dogs are used across New South Wales to provide companionship to students. While they have to be guided by their handler at all times and have professional training, they do not require formal accreditation to enter a school.
Since the accident, Kuczynski told ABC News she wants all school support dogs to be fully qualified, the same as assistance dogs, before entering a school.
