Italian greyhound mauled to death by husky on busy Footscray street

Traumatic scenes unfolded on a busy Footscray street when a dog walker was forced to punch a killer husky that attacked his pet.

The owner of a dog mauled to death in a savage inner-Melbourne attack is urging pet owners and parents of young children tobe vigilant while walking the streets.

Dog owner Marcus Tansing was walking his two dogs on Barkly St, Footscray, on April 9 in the morning when his beloved italian greyhound, Gia, was attacked by a husky.

Maribyrnong council is ­investigating whether the dog responsible is too dangerous and should be put down.

Mr Tansing said the horror mauling happened within seconds as he turned a corner.

“It all happened so quickly, the husky had her in its mouth,” he said.

“I had to punch the dog in the head to make it stop. Gia is tiny, she just couldn’t take it.

Gia the italian greyhound was mauled to death.

The horror mauling unfolded within seconds.

“When the husky dropped her out of its mouth, it was too late. There was blood everywhere, she was gone.

“I can’t believe you can be walking your dog in inner city Melbourne and it gets killed. What if it was a child.”

Mr Tansing said all dog owners needed to take responsibility for their animals and muzzle them in public if needed.

“No one deserves to lose a pet this way,” he said.

“The dog has murdered my dog. As an owner, you have a responsibility to do the right thing. “This would not have happened if the husky was muzzled. It is just tragic, heartbreaking. “People need to think of the consequences of having a dangerous dog.

The dog’s grieving owner has issued a warning.

Police were called to the horrific scene.

“I am devastated, it is a nightmare. I don’t want to go to work, I am traumatised. This will take a very long time to recover from.”

Mr Tansing said Gia was seven and inseparable from her brother Flynn, also an italian greyhound.

“Flynn is so lost without Gia,” Mr Tansing said.

“That is the hard part. They did everything together, they were inseparable.”

It is understood the woman who was walking the husky was not the owner, and had to be taken to hospital following the traumatic event.

Local police units from Footscray were called to the scene.

Maribyrnong council are investigating and were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Italian greyhound mauled to death by husky on busy Footscray street