Northern beaches dog attacks: ‘Dangerous’ canines roam the streets after killing beloved pet

A family and their neighbours are demanding answers from authorities after spotting “dangerous dogs” roaming Cromer, on Sydney’s northern beaches, after killing a pet dog.

Beloved family pet Bambie was killed by a dangerous canine in March, with more recent attacks being reported. Picture: Supplied

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Residents are demanding answers from authorities after a pair of dogs were sighted roaming the streets after they attacked and killed a beloved family pet back in March.

It comes after residents have reported multiple other alleged attacks by the same dogs.

Emails between a council officer and a resident show the council are aware of at least one of the attacks in March, which resulted in the death of Bambie, a 17-year-old Foxy-Russell cross Chihuahua.

Jessie Lui told the Manly Daily her family dog Bambie was mauled in front of her parents in Cromer on March 18.

Family pet Bambie died in March as a result of a vicious dog attack, devastating her family. Picture: supplied

She said they were taking Bambie for a walk towards Cromer Fields when “two pitbull looking dogs came out of nowhere”, the brown coloured one grabbing little Bambie by the neck.

Bambie’s owner attempted to save her life but she died.

“My dad tried to get him off Bambie but it refused to let go. She was bitten so badly her lungs got punctured because the dog’s teeth were so sharp,” Mr Lui said.

“The owner wasn’t there when it happened but then appeared afterwards. He didn’t want to give his details but there were other witnesses around so he did.

“He paid for the $1000 vet bill but it didn’t matter because Bambie died.”

Ms Lui said the attack happened on a path leading to Crome Park Fields. Picture: supplied

Letters between council and Ms Lui’s family reveal since the incident in March, the dog which attacked Bambie remains registered as a “dangerous dog” by the council, and the owner was fined $1320.

However, Ms Lui said it has not stopped the owner from breaching restrictions, as the dogs have been sighted roaming and breaching restrictions.

“Since April this dog has been seen by others, my mum spotted the same dog in public on Monday morning, no owners, just freely roaming around in Cromer.

“The dog is roaming freely around the park with no muzzles, no collar, nothing. There’s little kids playing around. How many attacks are enough for the council to cease the dogs before it’s too late?

“They can’t just continuously let this dog attack others. If they did something about it, our dog wouldn’t have died.”

Northern Beaches Cr Rory Amon was contacted by residents about the issue. Picture: Adam Yip

Ms Lui said a council officer had allegedly confirmed a Maltese died last month by an attack by the dogs.

She said council rangers had said the breed responsible for the attack was registered as a staffy, although it appears to be a cross due to the size and build of the dogs.

A resident, 81, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisal, said her terrier Bonnie was attacked late last year by one of the two dogs, “petrifying” her.

“This has been going on for a couple of years and despite all the reports the council have had, they haven’t destroyed these dogs or punished the owner,” she said.

“My dog didn’t die, but one of them picked her up and threw her. I pulled her up close to my chest and then the dogs began circling me but the owner called for them from his house.

“So I reported it to the council twice. Then I received a voicemail from a neighbour saying her dog was killed last Friday by those two same dogs and to beware.”

Northern Beaches Council CEO Ray Brownlee at his Dee Why office. Picture: Adam Yip

Northern beaches councillor Rory Amon said residents had contacted him about the matter.

“There’s a dog that’s allegedly been declared dangerous in the area, and there have allegedly been certain restrictions placed on it,” Cr Amon said.

“Apparently, the dog’s been wondering around causing havoc and not been appropriately contained.

“Until we investigate it and get all the facts, it’s a hard one but from my perspective, the council should be taking a no tolerance policy and should be prosecuting the owner to the full extent.”

Although the RSPCA said it was a police matter, Northern Beaches Council chief executive Ray Brownlee confirmed the council had powers to seize dogs.

“We take dog attacks very seriously. In the last 12 months, council has taken a number of dog owners to court and elicited $12000 in fines,” Mr Brownlee said.

“We ask that the community report any dog attacks and incidents to Council as soon as possible on 1300 434 434 so rangers can attend and take appropriate investigative and enforcement action.”