Mosman dog owner feared her pet would be killed by staffy in Shadforth St attack

A WOMAN in Sydney’s north has urged all dog owners to keep their dogs on leashes after her small dog “Johnny” was mauled by an off-leash staffy in the street.

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THE owner of a Bichon Frise has pleaded with dog owners to keep their dogs on leashes in the street after an off-leash staffy attacked her dog in Mosman on Easter Monday.

There are designated off-leash locations throughout Mosman but this attack took place in a prohibited area in Shadforth St near Mosman Preparatory School.

The dog owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she was walking her dog Johnny on a leash about 5.30pm.

Small dog Johnny is recovering after the staffy attack. Picture: Braden Fastier

He stopped to smell the grass while she talked to a local resident.

“The next thing I know, my dog is screaming in pain and there was a staffy attached to his neck, it had attached himself somehow to his neck or his ear,” the woman said.

“It was biting him and I went hysterical.

“I threw my bum on the ground and I tried to grab the staffy’s collar to get him off.”

She said when the staffy finally came off she scooped up the bleeding Johnny.

The woman said the female owner of the staffy had a second dog which was also off leash.

She said she shouted, “Your dog nearly killed my dog,” at the staffy owner and ran for help.

Stitches on Johnny’s ear after the attack.

A passer-by called the North Shore Veterinary Hospital for her and Johnny was treated for injuries including a nipped artery on his ear.

The woman said she later found out the staffy owner would pay her veterinary bills, but prevention was better than cure.

“You have to work out what’s wrong with the dog, why would it do that?”

Mosman Council rangers are investigating the incident to decide on the appropriate action.

Mosman Council rangers are investigating the dog attack. Picture: David Swift

What can happen when your dog attacks

THE Companion Animals Act applies to dog owners in Mosman. You may be responsible for injury or damage caused by your dog if it attacks a person or animal.

If your dog has attacked outside your property you may:

■ be liable for any injury to a person or animal or damage to clothing;

■ be fined;

■ be ordered to take additional steps to control your dog (such as fencing your property effectively);

■ have your dog declared dangerous; or be ordered to have your dog destroyed.

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