Dog seized while attack investigated
A dog has been seized by Baw Baw Shire to protect community members in the Torwood-Topiram Rd area.
A female cyclist required medical treatment after being bitten on the leg by a dog while riding in a group on the Torwood-Topiram Rd; and four days later a group of cyclists riding in the same area was alarmed by the dog menacing and attacking cyclists as they rode along the same road.
Council investigated the matter after being notified of the attack by the female cyclist and receiving reports of a second incident.
Shire community assets director Cohen Van der Velde confirmed on Friday the dog had been seized to ensure community safety.
Mr Van der Velde said the dog would be detained by council pending an outcome of the investigation.
Reports of the second attack were given to both The Gazette and the shire, but Mr Van der Velde said they had been unable to gather further information about the second alleged incident reported by a third party.
It is believed the dog, a dark coloured Staffordshire-type breed, had been menacing and attacking cyclists for several weeks.
The female cyclist suffered several lacerations to her leg and said the attack only stopped when other cyclists came to her aid.
Mr Van der Velde said seizure of a dog depended on the circumstances of the incident, the nature of the injuries and the determined risk posed by the animal.
He said the dog being held in relation to the alleged incident was not a restricted breed dog and had not been declared a dangerous dog.
He said it was normal procedure to hold a dog pending the outcome of an investigation in relation to an alleged dog attack, in order to ensure community safety.
A dog may be declared a dangerous dog by council if the dog has caused the death of or serious injury to a person or animal by biting or attacking a person or animal.
The list of restricted breed dogs include: Japanese Tosa, fila Brasileiro, dogo Argentino, Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario) and American pit bull terrier (or pit bull terrier)