Gold Coast couple overwhelmed by community’s generosity after their dog was fatally attacked at Currumbin beach

A Currumbin Waters couple left traumatised after their dog was fatally mauled have revealed a remarkable twist in the tale.

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A CURRUMBIN WATERS couple who were left traumatised after their dog was fatally mauled have told of how the Gold Coast community has rallied behind them.

John Derry held back tears as he explained how he became the owner of a new dog and felt overwhelmed by the public’s generosity after his Maltese papillon Molly was fatally attacked.

He said a family friend had raised money to pay for Molly’s vet bill, Pet Angels Funerals offered their services cost-free and another woman pledged to paint a portrait of Molly.

John Derry with his wife Heather Derry and their new dog Winter which they recently adopted. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“We are so grateful to the public. We all know it’s a great place to live, but I did not realise how generous people are,” Mr Derry said.

He said 14-year-old Molly was mauled by a rottweiler at the Currumbin off leash dog park about 2pm last Thursday.

Mr Derry said he was walking Molly on a leash towards the beach when he came across a man with the rottweiler.

“I asked him if his dog was OK with other dogs and he said his dog didn’t like little dogs, but he had it on a lead, that’s why I didn’t move further away,” Mr Derry said.

“I said to Molly, ‘Come on Molly, we’ll get just past’, and as I’ve gone past the bloke, the dog suddenly lunged.

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“I looked down and there’s this rottweiler and it’s got a hold of Molly and I’m trying to get its mouth open and as soon as she dropped to the ground, I knew,” he said through tears.

“I said, ‘I’ve got to get my dog to the vet,’ and then I came across a woman who went and got a towel and we wrapped Molly up … but I didn’t think of looking at the guy’s car rego (registration plates).”

Heather Derry and John Derry who held back tears as he explained how the Gold Coast community rallied to support them after their dog Molly was mauled to death. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Mr Derry rushed Molly to Currumbin Fair Vet but she had to be put to sleep because her injuries were too severe to treat.

The following day family friend Brooke Ingram Colless posted the account to social media and pleaded with the owner of the rottweiler to come forward.

“2pm yesterday at the pirate park / dog park a friends beloved pet Molly was mauled to death by a violent rottweiler,” the post read.

“Its owner “a Pom in his 60s from Tallebudgera” promised to follow an extremely traumatised John to the Currumbin Fair Vet but didn’t show.”

Mr Derry said the man had yet to be in touch, however, a Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman confirmed the city was aware of the alleged attack and investigations were underway.

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