Vicious attack kills dog
A Warragul pensioner who had to put down his “best friend” is now facing crippling veterinary bills after a vicious dog attack three months ago.
Werner Schutze still misses Rex, who after 14 years together, he says was “man’s best friend.”
Rex had to be put down after two weeks of ongoing veterinary treatments and surgery following an attack by another dog at the end of June.
Werner, 84, walked Rex (on leash) every day. The Latrobe St resident was on his daily walk in the surrounding neighbourhood when the attack allegedly occurred.
Werner said the dog appeared to have escaped its property when it aggressively attacked Rex, a bull terrier.
Rex was badly mauled and after numerous surgeries and treatments, Werner had to make the heartbreaking decision to put Rex down.
“It was very distressing. It was like losing a child. Rex was a very obedient dog. On this day the other dog was out of its property and the dog came from out of nowhere.
“Suddenly the other dog was there and attacking Rex,” he said.
Werner tried to pull Rex away, suffering hand lacerations in the process. Two other women assisted Werner, pulling a steel rod from a badminton set out of their car to try to separate the dogs.
Werner now faces veterinary bills of $5700 which he is struggling to pay out of his pension and medical costs.
He said he had reported the incident several times to Baw Baw Shire and was frustrated that nothing had been done about the offending dog.
From p1 Acting planning and economic development director Rob Robson said the matter was being investigated.
He said officers were investigating the case and were therefore unable to release details of the incident because it may jeopardise the ongoing investigation.
“Baw Baw Shire Council takes matters of public safety very seriously and this is why the investigation is being carried out thoroughly.
“Once we have completed the investigation we will then be able to determine the most appropriate action,” Mr Robson said.
But Werner’s daughter Monica said she was disappointed the shire had not taken action over the incident.
“They are being extremely flat footed over this. When is a dog attack like this considered serious.
“It has been three months and nothing has been done…we are still waiting for a response,” she said.
While the Bull Terriers Rescue Association of Victoria has matched Werner with a new bull terrier, Werner said it was taking some time to get used to his new dog Bully.
He said he had a very close bond with Rex after 14 years.
“I could talk to him and he would understand me,” he said.