Bronte Park dog attack: witness recalls horrific moment Staffordshire attacks Schnauzer

The owner of a small dog attacked by an off-leash staffy in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has spoken of the horror of thinking her beloved pet was going to die. WARNING: Graphic images

A vicious dog attack in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has left a small dog with horrific injuries and its owner with a $10,000 vet bill.

Owner Kate Muir, who was also hurt in the incident, said she thought her schnauzer, Millie, was going to die when an off-lead American Staffordshire Bull Terrier came out of nowhere and “made an absolute beeline” to pounce on her near the Bronte Beach promenade.

“There was no wanting to smell or coming in for a play, it was coming for an attack,” she said.

“I attempted to pick Millie up in my arms but the dog has latched onto Millie’s right hand side and shoulder and upper leg and knocked me to the ground so I now have injuries to my hand and face.”

Kate Muir with her dog Millie.

Millie the Schnauzer.

Ms Moir said the attack about 7pm Monday night lasted up to one minute before three bystanders were able to rip the staffy off Millie. She said owner was nowhere to be found.

Left with a vet bill close to $10,000 and no guarantee that a vet-bound Millie would fully recover, Muir could barely hold back tears as she spoke of the trauma.

“My mother was walking Millie just 15 minutes earlier and I hate to think what would’ve happened to her if she hadn’t left,” she said.

Kate Muir's dog Millie before she was attacked at Bronte Beach.

Bronte man Edouard Pontich was the eyewitness who helped release the staffy and one of the only people who saw its owner. He was sitting with his partner on the promenade when he saw it approach Millie with an “intent to kill”.

“We ran towards Kate [the owner] and her dad in order to help, but she fell off trying to protect her dog,” Mr Pontich said.

“I went behind the dog and was trying to pull by his collar and body. My partner tried to press on the dog’s face near the jaws but it kept on moving left and right so it was difficult.”

The dog was attacked near Bronte Beach.

Kate has been left with a $10,000 vet bill.

Mr Pontich said he saw the staffy owner walking nearby with another dog. The staffy ran back towards him and he punched the staffy a number of times before leaving immediately. Mr Pontich said he refused to give his details.

Ms Muir said she was devastated at the “coward’s” actions.

“I heard people were telling him we could’ve been killed but he just left without taking responsibility,” she said.

“Because of his dog I can’t even walk along the promenade that has been my home for so long and I’m an absolute mess.”

Ms Muir and Mr Pontich reported the incident to Waverley Council, which is investigating the incident.

A Waverley Council spokeswoman said it was appealing for anyone with information on the attack to come forward. She confirmed off-lead pets are banned in the area the attack took place.

“Rangers have spoken to the owner of the schnauzer and investigations are ongoing,” she said.

“The dog required vet treatment. The owner did not sustain any injuries.”

“The owner of the staffy left the scene and is yet to be identified. He is described as being around 198cm tall with a muscular/athletic build. His dog was reportedly wearing a collar with spikes.”

The spokeswoman said dogs are allowed to be off-leash in Bronte Park Gully between the hours of 3pm and 10am daily, but the attack took place in an area close to the promenade where dogs are required to be on leash.

Dogs are banned from the beach, near the ocean pool and barbecues and 10m from the children’s playground.

Posts about the attack on social media attracted dozens of comments of locals complaining about the many dogs that are seen off-leash in prohibited areas and recalling other incidents were dogs have been attacked and hurt.

A spokeswoman for NSW police said inquiries are underway into the incident.

She said the incident had been reported to the council by officers and any witnesses should speak to police.