‘It was a bloodbath’: Dog owner sued over vicious fatal attack

The owner of a large dog that killed a chihuahua and seriously injured two other little dogs in a frenzied attack are being sued by the victim dogs’ devastated owners. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

Scott Anderson and Russell Howlett with their dogs Buster and Missy. Picture: Annette Dew

A Logan couple “deeply traumatised” by the mauling of their three small dogs – which killed one and seriously injured the others – are taking legal action to recoup $6140 in vet fees from the woman whose large dog carried out the frenzied attacks.

Scott Anderson, 61, and Russ Howlett, 65, of Boronia Heights, were walking their 11-year-old chihuahua Rogue and maltese shih tzus Missy and Buster, both 8, when tragedy struck.

“It happened in two seconds flat,” Mr Anderson said.

“This big white dog pushed out from under the gate in its front yard and got Rogue first; he was flicking him everywhere and we were screaming ‘put him down’.

“I got bitten on my hand trying to free Rogue, and then it started on Missy and peeled her back off, and nearly tore Buster in two.

“It was a bloodbath; thank god neighbours rushed to help.”

Rogue died following the attack.

Missy the dog's injuries after the attack.

Buster the dog's injuries after the attack.

The owner of the large dog was not home but her teenage son eventually came outside and retrieved it.

Tiny Rogue, at only 3kg, suffered fatal chest injuries while Missy spent days in intensive care after gruelling operations on her back, leg and chest. Buster also required emergency surgery, on his back and abdomen.

Mr Anderson reported the terrifying November 11 attacks to Logan City Council and was later told the offending animal had been put down.

He said he reached out to the owner to express his sorrow for her loss and requested she foot their vet bills but communication had broken down.

Missy was seriously injured in the attack.

“We are the victims here, deeply traumatised as we had to watch our beloved pets mauled, yet we have to outlay more money in legal fees to get back our expenses? What is the world coming to?”

Vet Damien MacGinley said large dog attacks were increasingly common in Logan, Ipswich and outer areas of Brisbane.

“In the vast majority of cases it is not a bad dog but a bad owner not putting in time to train and contain the animal,” Dr MacGinley said.

“It comes down to apathy and not fencing properties properly or appreciating what a 40-50kg dog can do to a smaller dog or its owner.”

He said bigger blocks could be expensive to fence but owners should never “rely on the goodwill” of their pets.