Glebe dog attack: Trombone the mini fox terrier survives vicious dog attack

A vicious eight minute dog attack on a beloved fox terrier which was left clinging to life has seen a family devastated, a community reeling and vet bills rising. WARNING: graphic pictures.

A vicious staffy attack on a beloved miniature fox terrier called Trombone has left a family devastated, a community reeling and vet bills rising.

On Anzac Day, Katrina Reid was walking her 10-year-old dog Trombone near her Glebe apartment when they encountered a large staffy.

The dogs became embroiled in an altercation with the much larger staffy biting down on Trombone’s head.

“Everybody in the street heard me screaming during the attack,” Ms Reid said. “All I could see was Trombone being tossed around like a ragdoll.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Ms Reid and her husband Graham to cover the rising costs for the lifesaving surgery which was required for Trombone, with more than $6000 raised as the community rallies around the family.

Trombone after his operation out for a walk, kept safe in a buggy. Picture: Supplied

The staffy – which has not been identified or found – clamped down as Ms Reid attempted to release her beloved dog. Ms Reid admitted Trombone wasn’t on a leash at the time of the attack, but said she’d trained her pup extensively and he’d never hurt a fly.

“The next thing I know I’m on the ground and I can see Trombone in the dog’s mouth,” Ms Reid said.

“It was over eight minutes before they got the dog off Trombone.”

Trombone was rushed to Southern Cross Vet in St Peters where he was given lifesaving surgery on his neck, chest and ear. His ear was so badly damaged it almost had to be amputated.

“Normally we operate on dog bites a couple days later, but because this was so horrific we had to operate immediately,” the vet’s director Dr Sam Kovac said.

The injury Trombone sustained to his ear. Picture: Supplied

“His ear had what we call ‘snake tongued’ – the whole middle of his ear was unzipped.”

Dr Kovac explained just how close Trombone had come to death.

“I’m surprised that he actually made it to the front door of my clinic,” he said.

“The neck injury was centimetres from the jugular, the main vein in the body, and Trombone was very close to getting his entire skull crushed too.”

The attack has devastated Ms Reid and her husband, who are both pensioners, with Mr Reid a welfare recipient due to ill-health.

Trombone was attacked by a pit bull on ANZAC Day. Picture: Supplied

Although Trombone is on the mend his ears have become infected, further raising the vet bills and increasing fear that future operations could be required.

The vet clinic started a GoFundMe page to help the Reids pay for the extensive treatment for Trombone, given the couple’s financial situation, and the reaction so far has been overwhelming.

“Everybody knows and stops to say hello to Trombone, he’s a little star,” Ms Reid said.

“The support and the donations have been mind-blowing, we are so overwhelmed and humbled.”

Although Ms Reid doesn’t want the staffy put down, she would like the dog to wear a muzzle. She also called for more awareness about just how devastating dog attacks can be after another staffy, owned by NRL star Jai Arrow, was involved in a frightening dog attack.

“Our councillor Linda Scott has offered dog education sessions in the community – I think that’s something that’s really needed,” she said. “Owners should know what to do when their dog locks onto another.

“There has to be education if you allow pitbulls to be living in proximity to so many people and children.”

A City of Sydney spokeswoman said rangers regularly visit parks to check that owners are properly in control of their dogs.

“There are serious penalties, outlined in the Companion Animals Act, for owners whose dog rushes, menaces or attacks other people or animals,” she said.

“If you witness or experience a dog attack, we encourage you to report it to the council or police as soon as possible and provide as much detail as you can.

“If you don’t have contact details for the attacking dog’s owner, it’s still important to make a report. Rangers will look through any available CCTV footage as well as patrolling the area to try and identify the owner and dog.”