Fairlight dog attack leaves spoodle owner demanding action as alarming stats revealed
A horrific dog attack which left a spoodle with a gaping wound has sparked outrage from dog owners. It comes as alarming statistics reveal a high number of dog attacks on the northern beaches.
Manly
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A northern beaches dog owner has called for council action after her spoodle was attacked at a popular off-leash dog park, resulting in $900 worth of vet bills.
Susan Morrison said her spoodle, Maggie Mae, was minding its own business when she was
suddenly set upon by a dog.
The attacker, which fled without an owner in sight, bit a chunk of the dog’s flesh.
It comes after alarming data has revealed the northern beaches has the third highest rate of dog attacks in local government areas across NSW.
There was a total of 213 dog attacks recorded on the peninsula this past year.
The three-year-old chocolate coloured spoodle Maggie Mae was with her owner Susan Morrison at LM Graham Reserve in Fairlight when the incident happened on Sunday afternoon.
Ms Morrison said her dog hasn’t quite been the same since.
“The dog came from nowhere, there was no interaction between Maggie and this dog, it ran full pelt at her and bit her. She didn’t stand a chance with this one,” Ms Morrison said.
“She’s three years old and hasn’t been hurt before, so it was a shock. She looked like she was fine at first but later when she was lying on our bed I saw blood and it looked like a stab wound.
“I took her to the vet and I was told she needed to undergo surgery because the wound was deep. She needed two layers of stitches because her skin was dangling around the gash. She’s on medication for pain relief and antibiotics.”
She was bitten on the left side of her body, near the bottom. Ms Morrison said it resulted in $900 vet bills and a distressed dog.
The dog suspected of attacking Maggie has been described as a medium build staffy with a tan and white coat.
A few days after the incident, Ms Morrison submitted a report to the council and called for the fence to go back up in the off-leash dog park.
“It’s an off leash dog park but owners are still supposed to supervise their dogs. I believe the owner was part of the crown there to watch soccer while they let their dog run loose.
“I’m calling for the fence to be erected but I doubt it will happen. I just want to put a warning out there.
“People have to be actively supervising their dogs.”
She said a couple of years ago she owned another spoodle which was mauled and killed in a horrific dog attack.
Local dog walker Louise Ross posted about the incident on Facebook to help raise awareness.
“Enough is enough. I really believe the fence needs to go back up! It was situated on the kindy side, it was a small space but perfect for all little dogs to play safely,” Ms Ross wrote.
“These attacks are happening weekly and its concerning”.
She told the Manly Daily there was a serious attack which happened at the Fairlight reserve about six weeks ago.
“A cavoodle puppy got attacked by a kelpie cross staffy resulting in a fractured skull.”
Manly dog owner Patty Thomas agreed there was a problem concerning dog attacks on the northern beaches.
“There is a problem with dog attacks here. Dog parks are not particularly friendly to all types of dogs,” Ms Thomas said.
“People should take responsibility for their own dogs and know what their strengths and weaknesses are.”
She spoke about an attack which happened about three years ago.
“I took my black and white cavoodle to Graham’s Reserve. An american pit bull terrier had came out of a house in Francis St and made its way into the park.
“It tried to nip my dog so I picked her up and then it bit me. Luckily council rangers were nearby and took care of it but people need to be wary.”
Northern Beaches Council have been approached for comment.