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| Dr Horace Tang checks over Teddy, who was attacked by a bull terrier in August. |
Miranda Croft, 71, was walking her daughter’s dog, Teddy, on Chisholm Street back on August 16 this year, when she suddenly felt threatened by a bull terrier bearing no collar.
Gathering Teddy up in her arms, Ms Croft went to walk away but was chased by the bull terrier, who jumped at her, biting her arm and thumb before clutching onto Teddy.
Both she and Teddy were then dragged along the footpath, Ms Croft being face-down clinging onto the lead.
Luckily, Ballarat man Glenn Bye was able to intervene, kicking the bull terrier and bashing it with a piece of wood until finally Teddy was released.
Ms Croft said the bull terrier was out of control and then went and attacked another dog in a nearby yard. Police eventually used capsicum spray to get it under control.
The ordeal left Teddy with a number of deep wounds including on one of his legs, and his chest. He spent the night at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice and racked up a bill of more than $300. Ms Croft’s winter jacket was torn and soaked in blood.
Following the involvement of police and the ranger, the bull terrier owner agreed to pay Ms Croft’s daughter for both the coat and vet bill through fortnightly payments. But more than four months on, the pair still have not received a cent.
“It seems strange something like this can happen and a person can get away with it,” Ms Croft said.
“I feel indignant that no payment has been made to repay my daughter’s vet fees. Nothing can really recompense the shock and trauma and pain – and it was a really painful experience.
“Really the payment is just compensation and all the other things can’t be paid for.”
Ms Croft’s daughter, who preferred not to be named, said she was frustrated by the lack of responsibly shown by the owner, and the lack of compassion in making the payments.
“It’s more the principle of it, the fact this woman had given her word and she hasn’t made good on her word,” the daughter said.
“My mum is elderly and we felt so upset that this had even happened.”
A City of Ballarat spokesperson said that the owners of both attacked dogs chose not to prosecute the owners of the bull terrier, and that a compensation agreement was reached between all parties.
“As agreed, City of Ballarat provided the owners of the bull terrier with payment details for the victims. City of Ballarat has had no further involvement with the case,” she said.
The bull terrier was put down.
(The Courier - Dec 29, 2011)
