Coronavirus lockdown prompts rise in dog fights, attacks across Whittlesea, Nillumbik
While the lockdown has seen pet owners spend more quality time with their furry friends, it’s also led to a spike in dog fights and attacks. And it’s stretching emergency vet waiting times.
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Lockdown is prompting a startling increase in dog fights and attacks across Melbourne’s northern suburbs, with vet clinics “inundated” with wounded canines.
Whittlesea Council has also recorded 21 dog attack reports — involving both people and other dogs — between March and April, compared to nine incidents at the same time last year.
Eltham Veterinary Practice’s Dr Steve Pryor told the Leader “more dogs than normal” were being presented with fight wounds at the popular Nillumbik clinic.
“I also have had a number of behaviour inquiries about dogs that are unfriendly and aggressive towards other dogs when out walking,” he said.
Dr Pryor also said he had noticed more pets with lacerations due to spending more time outside and an increase in lameness — caused by too much exercise.
There had also been a rise in grass seed infections, which was “unusual” for this time of year, he added.
“Eltham Veterinary Practice has been very busy in the last two months,” Dr Pryor said.
“The lockdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has meant owners are getting more time with their pets and dogs are getting exercised more.
“As a consequence, pet health problems are getting noticed more, and injuries are becoming more frequent.”
The Leader understands emergency wait times at the Bundoora 24-hour Vet Hospital were at three hours on April 27, and two hours the next night.
A customer waiting in the carpark of the Plenty Rd clinic, and who wished to remain anonymous, said her husband was bitten by a German shepherd on the Diamond Creek trail.
“We were walking last week and this German shepherd just lunged at my husband’s ankle,” the woman said.
“The dog was on a leash but the track is very narrow and the owner just had no control of the dog.”
Whittlesea Council director of partnerships, planning and engagement Julian Edwards urged pet owners to be cautious after the municipality recorded a recent spike in dog attacks.
“Most of these attacks have occurred where dogs have approached people and dogs walking on the footpath,” he said.
“While working from home, working in the yard or gardening, it is important that dogs are securely confined to the property. If dogs have access to the footpath, they are not securely confined to the property.
“Dogs must also always be on leash in any public area, apart from designated off-leash parks.”
Dr Pryor advised owners “gradual exercise” could help combat aggression in dogs.
“Start with more frequent smaller walks rather than long ones,” he said.
“Dogs that aren’t well behaved on the lead when out walking would benefit from dog obedience training and properly fitted restraint devices such as an anti-pulling harness or a head collar that goes over their nose.
“Some owners don’t have effective control over their dogs when out walking.”
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Dr Pryor also quashed the belief dogs needed to socialise with other dogs.
“Their human owners are their pack and don’t benefit from it (socialising with other dogs) if they are nervous around other dogs,” he said.
“A lot of dog owners assume other dogs want to meet and greet. I would assume they don’t want to, unless the owner volunteers that their dog is friendly and likes to say hello.”