The council is investigating the incident, which also left the family's other dog with serious injuries.
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| Brothers Andrew and Allan Close are devastated after Andrew's guide dog, Matilda, was killed and Allan's dog, Bosley, sustained neck injuries during the vicious attack. |
Allan Close, 25, was walking the family's cocker spaniel Bosley, 8, and his brother Andrew's black labrador guide dog Matilda, 4, on Plunkett Street, Bellfield at 8.40pm yesterday.
Mr Close was planning to surprise his 23-year-old vision-impaired brother who was taking a class at Hall's Taekwondo on Bell St and walk home with him and the dogs afterwards.
But when Mr Close was confronted by three pit bull terriers at the southern end of the street, his plans changed.
He said one of the Pit Bulls came over to sniff Bosley before sinking its teeth into the Cocker Spaniel, prompting Matilda the guide dog to flee in a panic towards Bell Street where she was hit and run over by a car.
OWNER PULLED A "PIT AND RUN" AND FLED WITH HIS VICIOUS DOGS
“The owner [Tarren Braunton] came to get the dog off Bosley but it took some time, once the pit bull was restrained they just left,'' Mr Close said.
Mr Close said he took Bosley to a Bundoora vet for emergency surgery.
Mr Close suffered a minor cut to his left hand.
His brother Andrew, who is a former Heidelberg Leader sport star, said he was very upset when he was told about Matilda. He said she was a great dog, which he often took to the football for Essendon games and even took her to Sydney.
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| Allan Close's dog, Bosley, sustained neck injuries during the attack. |
Matilda was nearly five years old and had been his Seeing Eye Dog since 2009.
Vision Australia seeing eye dog manager Leigh Garwood said he had spoken with the family offering support.
“It is shocking to hear about this attack. Attacks like this can have such an impact on someone's life,'' Mr Garwood said.
"We will ensure Andrew receives all the emotional support he needs. Every one of our Seeing Eye Dogs is a much loved part of a close knit family and it is a terrible loss for our community."
Council spokesman Dave Bell said the pit bulls, which had been registered with the council, had been taken the RSPCA in Burwood East.
Banyule Mayor Tom Melican said the incident was “very upsetting'' and the council was offering counselling to the affected residents.
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| Andrew Close, with his guide dog Matilda who was attacked and killed by pit bulls. |
Council officers are continuing to investigate.
The future of the animals will not be known until investigations are complete.
(Heidelberg Leader - August 10, 2012)
Update to story:
