Street mourns death
A GOLD Coast man has died from a suspected heart attack after a heated neighbourhood dispute over the mauling of his wife by a “menacing dog”.
The bizarre tragedy happened in a public housing street at Southport yesterday.
A woman aged in her early 50s was bitten by the staffordshire terrier, a council-declared dangerous dog, on Kenyon Rd at Southport just after 11am.
Neighbours said the dog escaped from the yard and bit the woman on the leg.
Her partner, aged in his 60s, is believed to have suffered a heart attack after exchanging heated words with the neighbour over the dog attack. They are also believed to have argued earlier over a noisy motorbike.
The man is believed to have suffered heart problems. His wife was assessed by paramedics but declined to be taken to hospital.
Upset neighbours said the dog had been “terrorising” residents since the owners moved into the street about 18 months ago.
“Everyone is terrified of that dog and we don’t know why it’s been allowed to be kept in the street,” one resident said.
“It’s (the death) an absolute tragedy.”
The Gold Coast City Council had declared the staffordshire terrier to be a dangerous dog and ordered its owners to display a large sign, warning people to “beware menacing dog”, on the fence of their property.
“Officers have seized a dog as part of the investigation and are assisting police with their inquiries,” a council spokeswoman said.
The dog’s owner declined to comment when approached by the Gold Coast Bulletin.
People living at the house where the man died said they were too upset to talk.
A police spokeswoman said investigations were continuing.