Worst Queensland regions for dog attacks revealed

At least 19 dog attacks happen everyday across the state, with some victims so traumatised they haven’t returned to the streets. Here’s the regions you or your dog are most likely to be mauled.

 

At least 19 dog attacks happen every day across Queensland, with Cairns, Mackay and Moreton Bay among the regions you or your dog are most likely to be mauled.

Data provided from various councils across the state showed Cairns Regional Council had the most incidents per 1000 people with a rate of 4.43, compared to Mackay with 3.7 and Lockyer Valley with 3.9 in the 2023-24 financial year.

Across the state there were at least 7108 dog attacks in the last financial year. In the southeast, the City of Moreton Bay had the most attacks with 1391.

The most common dog breeds for attacks included staffordshire bull terrier, american staffordshire terrier, german shepherd and border collie.

In the past six months, data from Australia Post showed there had been 505 dog-related in Queensland making it the most dangerous state for postal workers.

Darra, Stafford and Toowoomba were found to be the most dangerous dog-attack prone regions for workers.

RSPCA Queensland Head of Animal Services Kirsty Nalvarte said any dog can bite with the breed of a dog irrelevant as to why the attack occurred.

“Every dog has the potential to bite, and it’s important for families to learn to understand their dog’s body language and recognise when they’re feeling frightened or uncomfortable,” she said.

“Hugging, kissing, sitting on dogs, pulling tails, and getting close to a dog’s food can all trigger dogs to react.”

Data shows 1200 Queensland children each year present at a hospital emergency department due to a dog bite and 81 per cent of dog bites occur in the child’s home.

Australia Post Brisbane manager Doug Fry said he had suffered three dog attacks while on duty.

Queensland is the most dangerous state for postal workers.

“In April of this year I was delivering to a Carindale cul-de-sac when a German Shepherd ran through an open gate, the owner did nothing and after ten seconds of trying to evade it I was bitten,” Mr Fry said.

“I was left with deep puncture wounds.

“The impacts aren’t just to myself, the vehicle I was driving had 100 parcels and after the attack I ceased delivery for the day, it had a real knock on effect,” he said.

Mr Fry said dog attacks on his staff were “extremely common” and there had been eight attacks in one week alone in June.

So far this year there has been six attacks or close calls on Energex staff.

“We have also been working closely with Australia Post and other utility companies on further community education,” an Energex spokesman said.

A dog acting aggressively towards a postie. Picture: AustraliaPost

He said digital meters have negated the need for metre readers to enter properties, with 48 per cent of SEQ properties currently having one.

“We aim to have 100 per cent of older generation meters replaced by 2030,” he said.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said a dog’s individual tendency to bite depends on at least five interacting factors: heredity, early experience, socialisation and training, health and the behaviour of the victim.

Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said if your dog is the one being attacked most pet insurance policies will cover any resulting injuries.

“Most pet insurance policies available can allow you to claim between 80 per cent and 100 per cent of the medical costs, up to the limits outlined by your policy. But it will depend on your specific level of cover,” he said.

Teresa Kochanowski with Lily after a dog attack in Carindale. Picture: Richard Walker

The scary statistics come just weeks after a woman was attacked by two American staffies in an incident that left one of the dogs she was walking dead and another with serious injuries.

Teresa Kochanowski was walking her neighbour’s dog Patty and her own pup Lilly when she was attacked by two random dogs on the corner of Winstanley Rd and Aldford St near Westfield Carindale in October.

A month later, Ms Kochanowski, said the incident left her reeling.

“It’s something that you re-live every day. It’s two American staffies attacking me and two little dogs, killing one and badly injuring the other, and it’s terrible,” she said.

Lily survived the attack. Picture: Richard Walker

“You go to bed, and you close your eyes and you can see it, and I can’t go for walks still, because, there’s been more attacks since my attack, in different places.

“It’s really scary. It’s a walk that I did for 10 or more years, seven, with my little girl, Lily, and I only just started taking Patty about two years ago.”

While Ms Kochanowski was slightly injured in the incident, she has since been left with crippling anxiety.

“It’s been horrendous. It’s been a nightmare,” she said.

“It’s not the physical bit that bothers me. It’s the mental bit, the flashbacks, having to take sleeping tablets every night,” she said.

“Anxiety tablets every night to go to sleep, something I’ve never had to do. it’s terrible.

“I don’t know if (the anxiety) it is ever going to leave me, but the doctors given me a few weeks, and if these things still happen, I will go and see a psychologist and see if they can help get rid of the screams of the dogs.”