Hunt for killer dog after mauling beloved cavalier king charles to death in Clyde
Video showing the horrifying moment a beloved cavalier king charles was picked up by the scruff of the neck and mauled to death has emerged, as the owner continues her crusade to catch the killer dog. WARNING GRAPHIC
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A video has emerged showing the dramatic moment a woman’s beloved cavalier king charles was savagely mauled by another dog in Clyde.
Shani Francis, who was walking her five-year-old dog Ruby along Hill Farm Drive about 11.45am, said she was left heartbroken and shocked after a man who was allegedly driving a Jeep Cherokee let his off-lead dog, believed to be a black bull mastiff or a similar breed, out of the car.
Ms Francis, who at the time was walking with her friend Rachel, who owns a boxer cross staffy called Bucky, said the bull mastiff lunged at Ruby from behind and began to maul her.
In the video, Ms Francis and Rachel are walking along when a large dog runs towards Bucky and viciously picks him up by the scruff of the neck.
The violent attack continues for several seconds before the offending dog’s owner rushes to the scene and tries to separate the two — at one stage trying to kick the dog off.
“It all happened so fast, we were only five minutes from home. I was completely shocked and once I got Ruby away, the dog then began to attack my friend’s dog leaving several puncture wounds,” she said.
“What completely shocks me the most is the way the owner handled the situation. He did nothing except yell at my friend to let go of his dog and then picked him up and drove off.”
Ms Francis said she had spent more than $10,000 on surgery for Ruby, but was left devastated as she still couldn’t be saved.
“Ruby suffered a puncture wound to her kidney and other injuries including internal bleeding. We did everything we could to save her, but she unfortunately didn’t wake up from surgery,” she said.
“I am completely broken, everyone who knows me, knows that Ruby was my life and this should never have happened, I want this dog to be caught.”
She said her friend’s dog Bucky was slowly recovering from his puncture wounds.
“I’ve reported the incident to the council and the police. The police couldn’t do anything, which is really unfortunate.”
Ms Francis said she urged other dog owners in the area to be vigilant.
“I was five minutes from home. Ruby was on a harness and she didn’t even lock eyes with this dog. We were both doing the right thing, it was completely random and I want others to be careful.”
“I want to thank the community for their outpouring of support and to those who donated to our GoFundMe, it’s been so overwhelming to read all of the kind and thoughtful messages.”
Casey Council safer communities manager Caroline Bell said the council was investigating the alleged dog attack.
“A large black dog is suspected of having attacked two dogs, causing minor injuries to one, and fatal injuries to the other,” Ms Bell said.
“The attack was reported to us soon after it happened and we seized a large black dog later that same day, after it was found abandoned at our pound facility,” she said.
“Inquires are underway to identity the dog’s owner. If you have any information in relation to this incident, please contact us on 9705 5200.”
MORE NEWS
WHEELERS HILL: WHY LOCALS HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THE SUBURB
MERINDA PARK TRAIN STATION SET TO BE REVAMPED