Beagle set upon by staffy in random dog attack in Kensington Park

A Kensington Park woman has shared the terrifying moment her beagle was attacked by another dog in her own front yard. See the CCTV. Warning: Graphic

A Kensington Park resident is calling for tougher off-leash rules for dogs after a dog ran into her front yard and attacked her pet beagle.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, was about to walk her two beagles when the dog ran over from Bradman Park, which is unfenced, nearby to attack her dogs.

CCTV of the incident shows the woman and her sister preparing to head out for their walk before being chased back into their yard by the dog, believed to be a staffordshire bull terrier.

The dog latched on to one of her beagles, leaving puncture wounds in his left eye and right ear before the woman was able to pull them apart.

The attacking dog ran into the yard from a nearby park. Picture: Supplied

“The other dog didn’t bark or make any noise and just came onto our property and went for our dog,” she said.

“So I just turned around and tried to grab him and my dog, and that’s obviously the point where it got him in the ear, and I pulled the dog off.

“He did let go, and then, yeah, I just fell on foot. He did keep trying to lunge at our dogs until the owner came and grabbed it.”

The owner of the dog arrived shortly after the incident to take their dog away and was given a warning by police, she said.

Following the incident, the woman was left with an injured bicep and bruised her knee.

Dogs are currently allowed off-leash in all parks and reserves in Burnside, except Chambers Gully Reserve, Heatherbank Reserve, Michael Perry Reserve and the wetland area at Kensington Gardens Reserve/Kensington Wama.

However, dogs must be exercised under effective control and “respond to the owner’s commands, be in close proximity to the owner and the owner must be able to see the dog at all times, according to the council’s website.

During the 2023/24 financial year there were 53 dog attacks reported to the council.

This attack was the “third” in the area, said the beagle’s owner who is now scared to walk her dogs alone.

“My biggest concern is walking the dogs on my own because I used to do it all the time,” she said.

“I’ve gone back to not walking the dogs on my own so it does have a psychological impact.”

While she doesn’t blame the other dog for the incident, she said it was important for owner’s whose dogs are involved in attacks to take accountability for their animal’s actions.

“I’m definitely a dog lover, don’t blame the dog, more the owners for not keeping their dog safe and secure in public to allow this to happen,” she said.

A spokesperson for the council confirmed that an investigation was underway and that they would be getting statements from both owners “to understand both sides of the story.”

The owner of the attacked beagle injured her knee and bicep. Picture: Supplied

Fortunately, the beagle received no serious injuries. Picture: Supplied

The Advertiser has previously reported that owners of vicious dogs involved in attacks face huge new fines under new laws proposed by the state government.

Under the proposed new laws, dogs that attack a person or another animal and cause serious injury or death, the owner will face a maximum fine of $25,000, up from the current $2500 penalty.

In the event the dog was already known to local councils, the fine could increase to $50,000 up from $10,000.

If the attacking dog was already considered dangerous, this fine could rise up to $50,000 up from $10,000.

If the dog was deliberately encouraged to attack or harass a person or animal, the owner will face fines up to $10,000 – or four years’ jail.