Woman claims dog attacked her and pet in Brunswick St Mall in Fortitude Valley

A Brisbane woman has been left traumatised after an off-leash dog lunged at her and her 15-year-old pet while walking through Brunswick St mall.

A Brisbane woman has been left traumatised after an off-leash dog lunged at her and her 15-year-old pet during a walk in inner-city Brisbane, forcing the woman to fight the animal off.

The attack comes after a sweep of incidents across Queensland, the most recent one involving a three-year-old girl in Yatala, on the Gold Coast, who was left in a serious condition after being mauled by multiple dogs.

Rachael (who did not want to give her surname) said she and her dog Da Vinci, a chihuahua, were walking through Brunswick St Mall in Fortitude Valley when they were attacked by a dog that appeared to be a ‘staffy mix’, leaving her with scratches and bruises and her elderly dog with bite wounds.

Da Vinci the 15-year-old chihuahua was attacked by another dog while walking through Brunswick St Mall in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Supplied.

“I heard it (the dog) before I saw it,” she said.

“It just ran across the mall at my dog and lunged for it.

“It was so terrifying. I was screaming, kicking and punching the dog trying to get it off mine but the lead got tangled. I have quite a few bruises and scratches myself.”

Rachael, who lives in nearby New Farm, posted about the incident on social media and said she received dozens of responses with similar experiences regarding the same dog.

“I was screaming at the owner to get their dog,” she said.

“My dog is 15-years-old, a chihuahua, and was recovering from surgery.”

Da Vinci used to volunteer as a Delta therapy dog where he worked with severely disabled children and adults as well as for people in aged care facilities.

Da Vinci the 15-year-old Chihuahua was attacked by another dog in Brunswick Mall in Fortitude Valley. Source: Supplied.

Queensland Police were contacted and arrived at the scene shortly after the incident.

“I could barely stand after the whole thing, I was so shaken. I told the police about the couple but they said they couldn’t find them,” she said.

A complaint has been lodged with Brisbane City Council.

“It was about to kill my dog and it would have if I hadn’t fought it off,” Rachael said.

“It will attack and kill another pet, it is only a matter of time.”