Police backtrack on possible link between dog attack and body found in bushland

The body of a man has been discovered in a park in Brisbane’s north where two dogs mauled a jogger late last week.

A council worker reported discovering a decomposing body in bushland within 7th Brigade Park, near Westfield Chermside shopping centre, to police officers just before midday on Sunday.

The park had been a focal point for authorities following a dog mauling on Friday night, which left a man with serious injuries to his arms, legs and face.

While police initially said there was no evidence to suggest the discovery of the body and the dog attack were linked, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham later said it could not be ruled out.

The man is believed to have died on Friday, Massingham said.

Officers identified the dead man as a 48-year-old who had been living in the area.

Police said the coroner was preparing a report to determine exactly how he had died.

“Due to the body’s state of decomposition, police are unable at this time to rule out any potential involvement of the dogs involved in Friday night’s attack,” Massingham said.

The park is known to authorities as a common spot for rough sleepers.

On Saturday morning police located the second of two bulldog-crosses involved in the attack, and the Brisbane City Council issued orders to euthanise both animals.

Both animals were still alive on Monday afternoon, Massingham said.

Anyone with information that may be of interest to the investigation is urged to contact police.

“We are particularly appealing for any person who may have heard anything unusual in the park vicinity between 4pm and 6pm on Friday afternoon,” Massingham said.

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