Annette Clifford tells of loss of beloved dog Gizmo after attack

A dog, rescued from a fighting ring and trained to be a beloved family member, has tragically died after being attacked in her Queensland backyard by someone else’s pet. *Distressing

Glenwood's Annette Clifford with her beloved dog, Gizmo.

*WARNING: Graphic images

A much-loved dog, rescued from a fighting ring and trained to be a beloved family member, has suffered fatal injuries in a horror attack.

Gizmo the bull Arab was a year old when she came into Annette Clifford’s care.

At the time she was aggressive towards other people and dogs as a result of the trauma she had suffered from being involved in dog fighting.

Over the past seven years, with plenty of love, care and attention, Gizmo, became a loving family pet at the Clifford home in Glenwood, between Gympie and Maryborough.

“She was so smoochy,” Ms Clifford said.

“I worked really hard to get her the way she was.”

Gizmo's injuries after the dog attack at Glenwood.

On Wednesday however, Gizmo was in the yard with Ms Clifford’s other dog, 11-year-old Zara, when a wandering dog, which Ms Clifford believes was a kelpie cross, jumped into her backyard.

Ms Clifford rushed outside to try to protect her animals.

She believes the other dog was trying to attack Zara when Gizmo got between them in an effort to protect the older dog, leading to Gizmo suffering serious injuries when the intruder latched on.

“It kept going and going, I was screaming,” she said.

“I was trying to get this dog off Gizmo.”

Gizmo's injuries after the dog attack at Glenwood.

Ms Clifford’s housemate Ben Thornton turned a hose on the dog, which took off.

The attacker was wearing a collar and appeared to be owned by someone.

Gizmo was rushed to the vet but had lost a lot of blood and couldn’t be saved.

Ms Clifford said she just held Gizmo and told her that she loved her.

Now, she wants the owner of the dog to take responsibility for the incident and has contacted the police and council.

“I’m so petrified it will come back,” she said.

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