Melbourne’s dog attack hot spots revealed

Dog attacks are happening at a rate of nearly five a day across Melbourne. Here are the worst areas for assaults, and what you can do to avoid them.

Terrifying dog attacks are happening at a rate of nearly five a day across Melbourne.

Data obtained by the Leader shows 1814 attacks have been reported across metropolitan Melbourne so far this year, from death maulings to rushings.

The majority of assaults were against other animals.

Earlier this month a man was ordered to pay nearly $20,000 after his dogs savagely mauled two cavoodles in Brighton, causing serious injuries to the tiny pooches.

In September, an elderly couple were left traumatised after their beloved shih tzu was mauled by another dog at the Inverloch Farmers Market, while CCTV footage captured the moment woman’s beloved cavalier king charles was savagely mauled to death by another dog in Clyde in July.

Ruby, 5, died after a horrific dog attack in Clyde.

In February, a Hampton East woman was left shaken after a savage dog attack left her pet greyhound with puncture wounds deep into her muscle.

Casey — the state’s most populous municipality — recorded the most incidents this year with 274, including 38 which caused serious injury to victims.

There were 96 dog-on-human attacks recorded in the municipality and 18 attacks which resulted in owners being taken to court.

The council’s safer communities manager, Caroline Bell, said most attacks occurred where dogs were not properly contained within their property.

She said the council had received 178 complaints of dogs attacking other animals, including dogs, cats, chickens and other livestock.

Greyhound Kala was attacked by a large black dog in Hampton East in February, needing emergency surgery.

Mornington Peninsula recorded 252 complaints about attacks and rushes, including six which resulted in serious injury or death to other animals.

Nine matters were prosecuted in court with 24 cases scheduled to be heard by a magistrate next year.

The council also dished out 51 fines for dog attacks.

Hume Council recorded 201 incidents, including 19 which resulted in serious injury to a person and 46 resulting in serious injury to another animal.

Darebin Council also recorded 201 incidents, but there were no serious injuries.

There were 193 dog attacks reported in Frankston this year, including 22 prosecutions for serious attacks.

Eight rush-attack infringements were issued during 2020, as well as 24 fines doled out for less serious attacks.

Brimbank Council had 148 dog-related incidents this year, with most recorded at off-leash parks and in neighbours’ yards.

Melton Council recorded 147 attacks, including nine which were deemed serious.

Knox recorded 144 incidents — including rushings — including 10 which resulted in serious injuries to people.

Glen Eira Council had 107 reported attacks with nine causing serious injury and one resulting in the death of another animal.

Neighbouring Bayside Council has recorded 99 dog-related incidents so far this year, including four serious attacks and 24 rushings.

City planning and amenity director Hamish Reid said the incidents included “a dog licking a person’s shoe, owners not having effective control of their dogs and dogs behaving in a menacing manner close to people”.

There were 97 attacks recorded in Monash, 93 in Stonnington, 91 in Whittlesea, 88 in Port Phillip, 72 in Moonee Valley, 71 in Kingston and 67 in Boroondara.

A magistrate this month warned vicious dogs could end up costing their owners “everything you own in life”.

“I’ve seen cases where young children are bitten on the face and left with scars and that’s the sort of thing that’s worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages,” Magistrate Paul Smith said.

Many councils are offering incentives to dog owners who have their animals professionally trained in a bid to stem the rate of attacks.

Port Phillip Mayor Louise Crawford said the council offered reduced registration fees for dogs that had obedience training from an approved provider.

Casey, Hume, Glen Eira, Bayside, Brimbank, Knox, Whittlesea and Boroondara councils offer the same incentive.

While Frankston Council will reimburse dog owners 10 per cent of the fees paid for obedience training done with an approved organisation.

RSPCA Australia’s website states: “any dog of any size, breed or mixture of breeds may be dangerous” in some circumstances.

“A dog’s individual tendency to bite depends on at least five interacting factors: heredity, early experience, socialisation and training, health and the behaviour of the victim,” it says.

Warning signs of potential aggression include lunging, barking and growling.

Signs of stress which could escalate to aggression include a stiff body, ears back and visible whites of the eyes, while freeing and staring could shift into aggression if a perceived threat persists.

Banyule, Yarra Ranges, Manningham, Wyndham, Greater Dandenong, Maribyrnong, Moreland, Nillumbik, Yarra, Maroondah and Hobsons Bay councils did not respond.

Whitehorse would not reveal how many reported attacks there had been but said ”reported dog attacks did not increase significantly” in 2020.