Family and friends of Ajay Malik have launched a fundraising campaign to support the real estate agent and his wife, with family friend Aryan Sirohi describing the attack as a "frightening, life-changing experience" that will leave Malik unable to work for a long time.
The attack occurred about 6pm on Friday when two bulldog-crosses set upon Malik during a run through 7th Brigade Park. Malik suffered serious injuries to his arms, legs and face.
On Sunday, two days after the mauling, a council worker discovered the decomposed body of a 48-year-old man who had been sleeping rough in the bushland. Police initially said there was no link to the animals that attacked Malik, but Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said Monday that a connection could no longer be ruled out due to the body's state of decomposition.
The dogs were captured by Saturday morning and held by Brisbane City Council. Their owner, Layla Evans, was arrested on unrelated charges on Saturday and served a destruction order for the animals while in custody. She was released on Tuesday, but the council retained the dogs.
Speaking before her arrest, Evans told Nine News the dogs were protective of her but had never been aggressive, and had escaped from the tent she lived in.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council had increased its presence at the park amid "heightened awareness" of dog attacks. He noted that fewer than 1 per cent of Brisbane's more than 100,000 dogs were reported to the council, and that the council had been notified earlier this year about the dogs being abandoned, though no safety complaints were made.
Premier David Crisafulli said the state "should always look at ways that we can improve the system" when questioned about dangerous dog laws. Police Minister Dan Purdie echoed that the government would consider reviewing laws if enforcement agencies recommended tougher measures.