Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Woman tells of dog attack

AUSTRALIA -- A Kentucky Bluegrass woman has told of a terrifying dog attack in the street that left her needing two operations on her arm.

One of the dogs that attacked her ripped a chunk of flesh the size of a golf ball out of her arm.

Kay Clough is recovering slowly after she was
viciously attacked by two dogs while walking her
own dog around the block.

Kay Clough, 68, said she took her small pet dog, Sam, for a walk around the estate last Tuesday, just as they have done almost every day for the past three years.

Mrs Clough said she became aware of a dog following them as they walked.

Then suddenly there were two dogs that launched an attack on them.

“One went for Sam and I let his leash go, and then the next thing the other one jumped up and grabbed my arm,” she said.

“I was screaming out: ‘Help me! Somebody please help me!’”

Mrs Clough said a woman from a nearby house came to her aid and helped her chase the dogs away, and called emergency services for her.

An ambulance took her to emergency at Bundaberg Hospital, and she had to go into the operating theatre twice to repair damage to her arm.

Mrs Clough said Sam was also bitten in the attack, but was probably saved by a thick Brisbane Broncos collar he wears.

He ran straight home afterwards.

“I don’t think I feel comfortable walking around there again,” Mrs Clough said.

“A couple of people have said they have been harassed by roaming dogs.

“There are a lot of young children in the area and it’s school holidays now.”

Bundaberg Regional Council health and environmental services spokeswoman Mary Wilkinson said the council was aware of the attack, and urged dog owners to take responsibility for their animals by ensuring their fencing was adequate.

Cr Wilkinson said dog attacks could not occur if the dogs were properly contained on the owner’s property.

“Unfortunately there are an unacceptably high number of dog attacks occurring within the community which are a reflection of the attitudes of irresponsible dog owners,” she said.

(News Mail - June 28, 2011)