Call for more patrols after dogs mauled
PET owners want more patrols at off-leash beaches after three dogs were allegedly attacked by the same pooch.
Gold Coast City Council is investigating two attacks within 15 minutes of each other at Tallebudgera dog beach on Sunday.
Photos of the alleged attacker and its owner have been shared on social media after the man declined to identify himself to owners of the injured dogs.
More dog owners have since come forward with complaints at both Tallbudgera and Palm Beach. The rogue dog’s breed has not been determined.
A woman, who wanted to be identified only as Bec, 36, from Elanora, said she was walking her two rottweilers along the sand at 12.30pm on Sunday when one of them, Junior, 5, was attacked, ripping its skin.
“This dog just came straight out of nowhere and latched on to his neck,” Bec said. “He came straight for the throat.”
The attack lasted “two or three minutes” as her husband tried to separate the pair.
Bec said the man denied the rogue dog was his and allegedly provided two fake phone numbers when she demanded contact details.
“(He was) dragging his dog away by the ear or his neck. The dog didn’t have a collar. He didn’t even say ‘sorry’, his dog had bitten him and there was blood all over his hand.
“He had no control over (the dog). We were lucky there wasn’t that much damage. Junior is such a gentle dog and he was so scared afterwards.”
Mark and Rita Fellows said their dachshund Ashby, 8, was attacked in the surf by the same dog just minutes earlier.
“He grabbed him and was growling and I raced in and pulled (Ashby) out from underneath while his owner grabbed the bulldog and tried to pull him away,” Mr Fellows said. “He was a big dog, 40 or 50kg. The dachshund is only 6kg.”
The Fellows are calling for more dog patrols on local beaches to keep pets safe.
The Gold Coast City Council said both reports were being investigated and it took dog attacks “very seriously”.
“The City is aware of an incident that occurred at Tallebudgera Beach off-leash area and is investigating,” a council spokeswoman said. “City Animal Management officers patrol the area on a daily basis, including weekends.”