Drop in attacks by dogs

DANGEROUS dog numbers are on the rise in Townsville but the number of attacks on humans and other pets has dropped slightly.

Despite the decrease, Townsville City Council has warned pet owners the number of attacks remained too high. In the year to June, there were 571 reported dog attacks in Townsville, 183 of which were against people, according to council figures.

There were 388 attacks on other dogs, cats, poultry and other animals.

The figures were slightly less than the previous 12 months, which recorded a total of 592 reported attacks.

However, 74 dogs were declared dangerous in Townsville last financial year, 11 more than the same period 12 months earlier.

Townsville has 32,500 registered dogs as of June 2019, according to the council.

Community Health and Environment Committee chair Cr Ann-maree Greaney said the council would continue to target roaming dogs, which were responsible for a majority of the attacks.

“Year in year out the message to dog owners is the same: maintain your fences and gates, keep your pets enclosed, and keep them on a lead in public,” she said.

“Dog attacks are unacceptable. All members of the community have a right to walk in public free of the threat of being attacked by dogs. “Dog owners are legally responsible for their pets and they need to be aware that the consequences of an attack can be extremely serious.”

Cr Greaney said the council had increased patrols throughout the community that had resulted in an increase in impoundments and fewer attacks but the numbers remained “too high”. “A majority of owners do the right thing, but most attacks occur because a minority of owners don’t secure their dogs properly behind a fence at home,” she said.

In severe attacks, dogs are seized and destroyed and owners can be hit with big fines and possible civil action from victims.