Keep beasts on a leash: hurt owner
A GOLD Coast woman had both hands badly bitten and had to spend four days in hospital after being attacked by an off-leash dog at a popular beach.
Statistically, it is happening about twice a day.
Coombabah woman Sarah Keevers recounted the horror ordeal to urge dog owners to be responsible and follow the rules.
Gold Coast City Council received 547 dog attack complaints from January 1 to October 11, compared to 557 in the same period last year.
Ms Keevers was attacked about 7am on Friday while walking her english staffy Hank on a leash at Salacia Waters, Paradise Point.
She said a man and an unleashed dog were about 50m away when the dog “charged” towards her and latched on to Hank.
“Obviously, I was trying to protect myself and also protect my dog,” Ms Keevers said. “As (the dog’s owner) eventually caught up, he had absolutely no control over his dog. He could not restrain his dog. He could not pull (it) back.”
Both of her hands were bitten during the struggle as she screamed for help.
“I was very worried for my dog’s life and my life,” she said. “There was a point where I stood there and thought, ‘I’m defeated, I have absolutely no energy left in me’.”
Passers-by came to her aid and the dogs were separated.
A woman helped Ms Keevers wrap her left arm, while a man called an ambulance. Ms Keevers’ friend eventually drove her to Gold Coast University Hospital and took Hank to the vet for treatment.
She spent four days in hospital to treat puncture wounds and cuts to her hands.
“I have also suffered a compound fracture to my left arm because of the bite mark going down to my bone.” She says she is unable to work, drive or cook for another few weeks.
Ms Keevers is also suffering emotional scars, experiencing anxiety and nightmares.
She broke down in tears while describing the effect it had on her life. “For me personally, I am suffering. I have lost a lot of independence,” she said.
Hank suffered cuts to his lower back. Both are expected to make a full recovery.
“Hank is my life, he is my No.1 – and to have my dog go through that, it’s not fair,” she said.
The attack was reported to the council.
A council spokeswoman said its animal management team was investigating. “As a reminder to dog owners, please note that all dogs in public must be kept on a leash at all times unless in a signed designated off-leash area,” she said.
Ms Keevers wants to raise awareness and called on the council to install better signage so it is clear to other dog owners that the area is leashed only.
“If you have a dog, you need to be responsible for it. The people that helped me, I’m very thankful – it could have been a lot worse.
“Something could have been killed on that day.”