An Ashburton toddler who was bitten in the throat by a savage dog attack is out of intensive care and expected to make a full recovery.
The three-year-old boy was bitten in the throat by a relative's Doberman Staffordshire bull terrier cross on January 18.
It is understood the dog lunged at the boy's throat while he was eating a chocolate.
He was transferred from Christchurch Hospital to Auckland's Starship Hospital so he could receive specialist paediatric intensive care attention after the attack.
His parents today released a statement giving thanks for the support they have received from New Zealanders.
They were "thrilled" to report their son had been out of intensive care at Starship Hospital for a few days and was recovering well.
"He has had lots of surgery so far and there is a long way to go but we're feeling really optimistic that he'll make a full recovery."
"In particular we would like to say thanks to a little girl from Mt Eden called Phoebe, aged 4, who sent our boy a lovely card telling him to get better soon. The card didn't have a return address but we were really touched by it so thank you, Phoebe."
A police investigation into the dog attack has concluded, with no charges laid.
The dog's owners cooperated with local animal control officers and the animal was put down.