There is no doubt that the couple's two dogs, Ali and Zac, are the much loved bosses of the home, but right now their owners are paying more than just a mortgage after a dog attack left Zac with severe injuries and a vet bill that is increasing daily.
Zac, a miniature Fox Terrier, Jack Russell and Chihuahua cross, was being taken for his daily walk with his kennel mate Ali, a miniature Fox Terrier, Pomeranian and Maltese cross, when a large dog jumped a gate, ran across the road and started biting Zac.
Kathryn and Garry are "just so impressed" by the actions of the young woman walking their dogs at the time. "She yelled at the dog to go away, then kicked out at it to try to stop the attack and she got her friend to run and find the owner to get the dog.
"While the dog kept attacking Zac, shaking and biting him, she didn't stop trying to protect both Zac and Ali."
After the attack, lasting around five minutes, finally came to an end as the dog's owner arrived at the scene and pulled it away, Zac was rushed to the vet.
"It was awful seeing him at first, he was covered in blood, and we could see the bite marks on his back and tummy. He was terrified and we weren't sure he was going to make it through."
Kathryn says Zac's injuries include 5 broken ribs, one of which as had to be removed as it was so badly crushed, torn muscles and puncture wounds.
"We just don't know why this happened, there was nothing different, the dogs are walked along the same route at the same time every day and they have never had any problem before. We don't know what made the dog attack Zac."
Kathryn says she is sure that had the dog walker not been so brave, the outcome for Zak would have been far worse.
"She was incredibly brave and we just can't thank her enough. She dropped her phone in the chaos and that is completely smashed, yet she has been more worried about Ali and Zak than anything else."
Kathryn is also full of praise for the team at the Stratford branch of the Taranaki Veterinary Centre who have been caring for Zak. "They are all lovely and it does make a difference knowing he is being looked after so well."
Kieran Best, the compliance officer for Stratford District Council, is also praised highly by Garry and Kathryn. "He has kept us informed as to what is going to happen from the start, he has explained everything and every time he calls, the first thing he does is ask how Zak is. He really cares and it shows in our interactions with him."
Kathryn says the attack serves as a valuable reminder to all dog owners of the importance of keeping your dogs under control at all times, something Kieran agrees with. "In this case, the dog was contained, but not under control. It was contained on the owner's property, with a gate between it and the footpath."
There have been no reports of this dog, which was registered, having behaved like this in the past says Kieran. "Again, this goes to show that all dogs must be properly controlled at all times."
Kieran confirms the owner of the dog has surrendered it for destruction, and is likely to face charges under the Dog Control Act, 1996.
Meanwhile, Kathryn and Garry are hoping little Zac pulls through and comes out of the experience, "still the same character he was before the attack". The couple are hopeful any future court case will lead to the owner being required to pay for Zak's vet bill. "But we still need to pay it in the meantime. It is already over $3000 and his treatment is ongoing."
To help them pay the bill, Kathryn's daughter Jodie has set up a givealittle page. "Any money left over or that isn't needed, will go to some form of charitable effort. We aren't sure what yet, maybe we could talk to the vet about leaving the money with them to help out someone else in the future."
After a week at the vet, Zak came home on Monday this week, but will be confined to a small cage for the next month or so to give him chance to heal properly. Kathryn says it is great to have Zak home, but both he and Ali are unsure as to why their playtime is restricted and they can't sleep in their basket together.
(New Zealand Herald - June 16, 2015)
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