Warning after puppy ‘viciously attacked’ at Gold Coast doggy daycare

A Gold Coast woman is devastated after her 12-week-old puppy was ‘viciously attacked’ during her first day at daycare. READ THE PET STORE’S RESPONSE

A Gold Coast woman has issued a warning to other dog owners after her 12-week-old puppy was “viciously attacked” by another dog during her first day at daycare.

Katie O’Grady said her Weimaraner puppy named Lulu came home with a large gash on her face after spending the day at Pets Wonderland Currumbin Waters.

The pet store’s manager Enrique Vanderhoeven said he was “devastated” about the incident and all staff would be “reflecting about what to do further” to avoid it happening again.

Katie O'Grady's puppy was bitten on the face by another dog.

Ms O’Grady said after she dropped Lulu off at the pet store about 7.30am Wednesday, she received a phone call from them at 4pm informing her a dog had bitten her puppy on the face.

“The incident occurred at 1pm and we were not notified until 4pm,” she told the Bulletin.

“Our dog was taken to the vet and back to Pets Wonderland without our knowledge.

“So now our puppy has a gash in her face, has a drainage hole in her face to avoid infection and has to take a course of antibiotics.

“We will also have to wait and see if she will need surgery.”

Weimaraner puppy Lulu before she was bitten. Picture: supplied

The Currumbin Waters woman said she was most upset about not being told immediately after the incident.

“I feel like it’s a duty of care to call when it happens,” Ms O’Grady said.

“Puppies (at Pets Wonderland) are mixed with old grumpy dogs which is always going to be a recipe for disaster.”

Mr Vanderhoeven said staff members were harnessing some small dogs to go for their walk when Lulu was bitten and they did not see which dog was responsible.

“I looked at the wound and it was one very small puncture on the cheek,” he said.

“I went to clean it and assess the damage. Once I realised it wasn’t going to stop weeping I made the decision to get her vet treatment as soon as possible.

“Our policy, that the owner signs, is to bring the dog straight to the vet as soon as there is any kind of incident to fully assess the situation.”

Mr Vanderhoeven said he called Ms O’Grady after the vet had explained the injury, which was delayed in this case because the vet was busy with another surgery at the time.

“The wellbeing of any of the dogs who enter the shop is paramount to us and what happened on Wednesday is certainly not a reflection of what we have been doing on a daily basis for 11 years now,” he said.

It’s understood the incident has since been reported to Gold Coast City Council.

Weimaraner puppy Lulu before she was bitten. Picture: supplied

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