Dog attacks: Ormeau residents report multiple incidents in area’s dog parks

Residents of a Gold Coast suburb are warning dog owners to be on alert after multiple reports of attacks in the area’s off-leash parks.

A SPATE of vicious dog attacks at northern Gold Coast dog parks has prompted a professional dog walker to urge owners to “exercise common sense” when using public spaces or risk serious injury.

A number of dog owners have taken to social media in recent weeks to report attacks at parks on Vennor Drive and Terania Ave at Ormeau as well as unprovoked attacks while walking their dogs through residential streets in the area.

Ormeau local Skye Hobbs said her dog and her sister’s pup were attacked at the Vennor Drive dog off leash area, resulting in her 8-year-old Border Collie, Foster, needing to have surgery.

“His skin around his neck was ripped open and there was just centimetres to his jugular and also he had puncture wounds on his ear and head,” she said.

Another Ormeau local, Christina Zahariev, was bitten while walking her American Staffy on a leash with partner Kurt Kalugin, who was also bitten on the elbow after their dog was attacked by a black and white kelpie on Terania Ave.

“I was bit on the elbow but I only held (my dog) on a leash because of all the news lately of dog attacks in Ormeau,” said Mr Kalugin.

“So I wasn’t willing to risk his safety and I’m glad I did what I did.

“But I don’t want people to be scared of going to the dog park. I have met some great people and good doggos.

“This was just a reminder to make sure your dog can mix with others before you let him have his fun.”

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Owners are being warned to watch out for aggressive behaviour from dogs in off-leash parks. Picture: iStock

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As a professional pet minder with more than 20 years experience, Lisa Larman from Lisa’s Pet Minding said dog owners needed to make sure their pups were properly socialised before taking them to public off-leash areas.

“One of the major contributing factors of dog attacks in parks is that some dog owners will just let their dogs off leash and not bother to watch what the dog is doing and how they are interacting with the other dogs,” she said.

“What people don’t seem to take into consideration is that the dogs are suddenly put into a strange situation where they are mixing with a lot of dogs they don’t know and someone has to be the Alpha Dog.

“This can cause problems, particularly if the dogs aren’t socialised properly as puppies and they aren’t trained, or the dog is with an inexperienced handler that doesn’t know how to read dog behaviour.”

Ms Larman suggests dog owners spend time watching the behaviour of other dogs before entering a park to ensure the safety of their pups.

“My recommendation would be to use common sense when approaching a park, watch the dogs and ascertain the situation, let your dog sniff the other dogs through the fence. If you aren’t 100 per cent happy with the dogs in there, don’t go on,” she said.

“If a dog arrives you’re not sure about, just leave.”

She also said Council needed to make more off leash areas.

A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said Council received 16 complaints of domestic animal attacks in Ormeau this financial year.