Sally Holland, Collingwood Beach dog attack: Witness appeal to fatal dog attack at Vincentia
Police are appealing for witnesses to a horrific dog attack on a NSW south coast beach that left a 91-year-old woman dead and four others injured.
NSW
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Police investigating a dog attack that killed an elderly woman on the NSW South Coast are investigating the care and control of the animals in the months leading up to the horrific incident.
Sally Holland, 91, was attacked by three bull mastiffs, and another three other women - aged 29, 73 and 79 - and a 47-year-old man also suffered cuts and bite marks during the attack at Collingwood Beach at Vincentia, Jervis Bay, in March.
The three dogs were seized by Shoalhaven Council and have since been euthanised.
Police investigators are now appealing for anyone that saw the attack, just after 7am on Sunday, March 29, or the dogs roaming the area in the months prior to come forward.
Ms Holland, a local known to walk and swim at the beach regardless of the weather, was attacked by three dogs at the beach off Elizabeth Drive at Vincentia and sustained fatal injuries.
Three other women – aged 29, 73 and 79 – and a 47-year-old man also suffered lacerations and bite marks and were treated at the scene, before being taken to hospital.
They have since been released.
South Coast Police Superintendent Greg Moore said the circumstances of how the dogs were out and the control of the animals was crucial to investigations.
“There’s a combination of witnesses that we are seeking to speak to. We know that there were people out and about on the morning that witnessed the attack that would have information that would be helpful to our investigators,” Supt Moore said.
“We also believe there are witnesses are out that may have information about the care and control of these particular dogs in the weeks and months leading up to this attack.”
Two of the dogs are described as being medium-sized and brindle in colouring. The third is medium-sized and white with brown patches. They have since been euthanised.
CWA Jervis Bay Day Branch president Jann Kalff fondly remembers Ms Holland, a great friend of hers, and said foul weather was the only thing that would stop her, a long-term branch member, from walking or swimming at Collingwood Beach.
“Sally walked and swam that beach every day,” Ms Kalff said.
“She was as vibrant as some 60 year olds and still had a great deal to give.”
As well as her CWA duties, Ms Holland was a member of the Huskisson Community Hall Management Committee and the Combined Probus Club for Jervis Bay and Districts.
Officers from South Coast Police District established Strike Force Beaks to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As investigations continue, police are appealing for anyone who has not yet spoken to investigators to come forward.