AUSTRALIA -- A vicious dog attack has left an elderly Altona Meadows woman too frightened to walk her dog.
Two suspected restricted breed dogs, believed responsible, were impounded on the day of the attack.
The dogs were destroyed yesterday when their owner had not been found or come forward to claim them within the eight statutory days.
Hobsons Bay Council business and finance director Glenn O'Sullivan said the two dogs did not have registration tags or microchips.
He said if the owner had come forward to claim the two dogs, the council would have investigated the matter further and formally determined whether the dogs should be classified as restricted breed dogs.
``Dog owners must ensure their dogs are securely confined on their properties to minimise the possibility of dog attacks,’’ he said.
``All pets, regardless of their breed, must be properly socialised to ensure every resident’s right to feel safe and protected.’’
Willy Saunders, 89, was walking her shitsu-cross Bobby in Balaclava St about 9am on Friday, September 21, when Bobby was set upon by two other dogs.
Mrs Saunders was bitten repeatedly on the hand as she tried to free her dog. She said it took three passers-by several minutes to get one of the attacking dogs to release the small animal.
"If the man didn't come along in the van and start hitting the dog with the broom, I'm sure Bobby would have died," she said. "I'm too scared to go for a walk now."
Mrs Saunders' dog is home after surgery and an overnight stay at the vet. Mrs Saunders received treatment for bite wounds.
She said the two dogs, one white and one tan, appeared to be pit bulls.
Hobsons Bay Council business and finance director Glenn O'Sullivan said the two impounded dogs did not have registration tags or microchips and would be destroyed if the owner did not come forward.
Altona vet Adam Campbell, who treated Mrs Saunders' dog, urged dog owners to register, desex and microchip their pets.
"The penalty for people who don't do the right thing probably should be harsher," he said.
(hobsons-bay-leader - Oct 3, 2012)
