Froggy Beach dog attack: Woman claims ‘irresponsible’ pet owner fled the scene, calls for tougher penalties

A woman mauled by a dog at a popular Gold Coast beach on Saturday – leaving a horrific wound – claims the pet’s owner fled the scene with “no remorse or empathy”. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

A veterinary nurse mauled by a bull terrier at the weekend wants tougher penalties for irresponsible owners whose dogs bite and then bolt.

It was the second in a week.

Maria Temelkos was attacked on Froggy Beach at Rainbow Bay on Saturday morning while she and four grandchildren – aged two-eight – were walking her cocker spaniel Jax.

The 49-year-old said she noticed a “rogue” dog running close to families and her grandchildren about 8am: “I called out to the dog’s owner and said ‘mate, is your dog safe?’ The next thing, his dog started attacking Jax.”

In trying to break up the fight, Ms Temelkos suffered a nasty gash to a hand, which doctors later said was only “millimetres from a major artery”.

“I didn’t even realise what had happened because the dog was only one metre away from the grandkids, so I went into protection mode – for both my dog and the kids.”

She said the owner had attempted to break the fight up by “hitting” his dog.

He then said “it’s all under control”, she said.

The wound required surgery and was “millimetres from a major artery.” Picture: Supplied.

“I held my gash up and said ‘does this f**king look like it’s under control?’”

She wrapped the wound in one of her grandchildren’s nappies and found an ambulance nearby at Rainbow Bay Surf Club.

Ms Temelkos was taken to Tweed Hospital where she underwent surgery.

In a separate attack a week earlier, a 6-year-old boy was attacked by a dog outside a restaurant in Currumbin. The dog’s owner fled, but later apologised after being tracked down by council officers.

She says she is still “in total shock” over the pet owner’s actions.

“He literally acted like nothing had happened and bailed with no remorse or empathy whatsoever.”

Ms Temelkos says as an animal lover, she “doesn’t really want to see the animal put down”, but would “love to see the pet owner fined”.

“It’s really about being a responsible pet owner. We place so much blame on the breed but it’s really about the owner.

Temelkos wants to see tougher laws introduced for dog owners. Picture: Sam Stolz

“To me, there is no such thing as a naturally vicious dog. There are calm-natured pitbulls and it comes down to the owner.”

Ms Temelkos said “tougher” laws should be introduced to deter irresponsible pet owners. She also wanted police to “step up their efforts” to work with the council.

“I’m actually glad it was me who was attacked on the beach and not a child. It’s my biggest fear that a child will be seriously injured or worse.”

Ms Temelkos said she was in the process of notifying police and council.

Gold Coast City Council said 711 dog attacks were reported last year. In 2012, there were 449. The statistics include attacks on other dogs.

Late last year, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and a delegation of mayors and councillors met with Agriculture Minister Mark Furner in Brisbane to discuss a crackdown on dangerous dogs.

The LGAQ was seeking law changes to ban ownership of restricted dogs in Queensland. Restricted dogs include the pit bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo argentino and fila brasileiro.

Dog management has been a longstanding concern on the Gold Coast.

Queensland councils were also calling for greater penalties to deter people from keeping unregistered dogs.

Dog management has been a longstanding concern on the Gold Coast.

In 2019, it was revealed 30,000 dogs were unregistered in the city, leading to a spike in attacks, costing ratepayers millions in lost revenue.

A report to council on a review of animal management laws revealed complaints of dog attacks and aggression had increased by about 12 per cent since 2013.

Woman’s hand ripped open in alleged dog attack. April 24.

Earlier: A Coolangatta woman has been left bloodied after allegedly being attacked by a dog at a popular Rainbow Bay beach.

The incident, which occurred at Froggy Beach on Saturday morning, left the woman with a large open gash on her right hand.

The graphic image was posted to a Facebook community page on Sunday afternoon by the woman’s neighbour.

It was also claimed in the post the pet owner left the scene.

The woman’s wound will require surgery according to a post on Facebook. Picture: Facebook.

Six-year-old boy attacked by dog at popular Currumbin eatery on Easter Sunday

The post reads: “Need your help. Does anyone know this man? His dog attacked our friend this morning at Froggy’s Beach then walked off.”

“She is in hospital at the moment needing surgery.”

It comes just days after a six-year-old boy was mauled by a bulldog outside a cafe in Currumbin.