Dog lucky to survive savage attack

City of Stirling community safety manager Laurie Crouch said the City was investigating the attack: one of 60 reported to the local authority this year.

Kenneth Yat said he was walking Jordie with his family at Dianella open space near Alexander Drive about 9am when the attack happened.

‘Jordie walked up to the other dog’s female owner after both dogs had sniffed each other,’ he said.

‘The woman patted Jordie on the head and the other dog ran back across the oval to its owner and instantly started mauling Jordie.

‘It was biting Jordie’s neck and ear.

‘I was shocked.’

The 18-year-old said the female owner of the attacking dog tried to pull off her dog as he shouted for his parents and their friends who were walking ahead.

‘It took about four of us to get the dog off Jordie even though the dog was down; his jaw was still locked on our dog,’ he said.

‘Jordie was trying to escape but there wasn’t much he could do. He was whimpering.’

Kenneth’s mother Cora said they rushed Jordie to Morley Vetcentre, where the vet told them their dog was lucky to have survived the attack.

‘If Jordie had been bitten maybe a centimetre deeper, he would have been gone; he was lucky because his collar covered the main artery where the dog was biting,’ Cora said.

Morley Vetcentre head nurse Tracy Woods said Jordie had puncture wounds to the right of his neck that needed suturing.

‘The dog had surgery and was put on antibiotics and pain relief,’ she said.

After surgery, Cora said Jordie refused to take any food or medication and needed constant nursing.

‘He used to be a very happy dog,’ she said.

‘He would give a little welcome bark when anyone would come home or if the bell would ring.

‘But since the attack he stays in his kennel, he refuses to come out.’

Kenneth and Cora said the attack was devastating to witness and the scene was proving hard to erase from their minds.

Any dog is capable of an attack, with no breed an exception to the rule, said Ms Woods.

‘It’s not just nasty dogs out there attacking, they might get spooked and then they’ll attack,’ she said.

‘Dogs are put in situations where they have their fight or fight mode.

‘They either retreat like we do or they’ll take that one step further and attack.

‘Any dog can attack: chihuahuas, great danes, blue heelers and jack russells have bitten us; any dog can be fearful and bite,’ Ms Woods said.

The City of Stirling runs education and awareness campaigns regarding responsible ownership of dogs.

‘Responsibility lies with the dog owner,’ Mr Crouch said.

‘All dogs must be registered under legislation.

‘All dog owners should make sure their dogs are well controlled, especially in public areas and in the presence of other unknown dogs.’