A morning walk for breast cancer survivor Jacqui Loughlin, 61, and her two shih tzus, Peppi and Stan, went horribly wrong on November 3.
On their way home along Rockbank-Middle Rd about 8am a roaming german shepherd attacked, heading straight for 14-year-old Peppi.
Mrs Loughlin frantically tried to use her body and legs to protect her pets, but the dog was relentless, turning its attention to three-year-old Stan, biting him on the back.
Passersby saved the day, using a rope to pull the attacking dog off the trio.
Another rushed them to a vet but Peppi's injuries were fatal.
Too traumatised to talk, Mrs Loughlin's husband, Ron, said she suffered cuts, bruises and bumps but the mental and emotional scars were the most horrific.
"She's become withdrawn and has constant nightmares of the dog lunging at her," Mr Loughlin said.
He said after battling breast cancer and coming out of remission after 10 years this year, he was concerned the trauma could set her back.
"I just can't believe this has happened," he said.
"What if it was a child walking a small dog?"
Mr Loughlin said he wants the owner charged and the dog put down.
Melton Council said the dog was at the Melton Pound, where it would remain until investigations were complete.
Compliance manager Ian Stewart said how long the dog had been on the loose and whether the owner would be charged were still being investigated.
(Moorabool Leader - Nov 12, 2012)
