Our worst areas for dog attacks revealed
Dog attacks are happening at a rate of more than five a day across Melbourne, new figures show. We’ve uncovered the worst areas for assaults, and what you can do to avoid them.
South East
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Vicious dog attacks are happening at a rate of more than five a day across Melbourne, new figures reveal.
An investigation has revealed across metropolitan Melbourne there were 1971 attacks reported last calendar year, from death maulings to canines rushing at their victims.
Last month an American staffordshire terrier mauled a Mill Park man to death and a cavoodle puppy was thrown around “like a stuffed toy” in a Ferntree Gully attack.
A Greensborough family mourned the loss of their cat after a canine ambush, while a Cranbourne woman believed she and her labrador pup were going to die when they were savaged by two dogs on the street.
In addition to the 1971 attacks, some councils recorded incidents by financial year. These include; Hume with 158 from 1 July 2018 to 30 July 2019, Glen Eira recorded 81, Hobsons Bay with 92, Greater Dandenong with 47 and Maroondah with 50.
And three councils — Manningham, Bayside and Banyule — did not release their figures.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE HOW YOUR COUNCIL FARED
Councils said attacks were more likely to happen in public parks and on footpaths.
The majority of assaults were against other animals.
Casey — Victoria’s most populous municipality — fared the worst with 223 reports made last year.
The council’s safer communities manager Caroline Bell said most attacks happened when dogs managed to get out of their unsecure homes.
“This is why it is important that owners ensure their dogs cannot escape from their properties,” she said.
Over in Frankston there were 177 attacks reported in 2018.
Frankston mayor Michael O’Reilly said the council planned to start a “cashback” program, giving owners a 10 per cent refund on professional dog training fees.
Yarra Ranges had 191 reports last year while Mornington had 176 during that time.
Monash mayor Shane McCluskey, whose council received 98 reports in 2018, said it was becoming easier to dob in dangerous dogs.
“We also think the public are less tolerant of irresponsible owners and are more inclined to report incidents, whereas in the past only the more serious attacks were reported to the council,” he said.
The problem has become so bad, some councils are even throwing incentives at owners to have their animals professionally trained.
Port Phillip acting mayor Louise Crawford said the council offered reduced registration fees for dogs that had obedience training from an approved provider.
Maribyrnong council offers the same incentive.
Darebin chief executive Sue Wilkinson said council officers often went to primary and secondary schools to teach children about being safe around dogs.
“The council works with obedience schools and vets at its annual animal pet expo. During daylights savings, the council promotes pet-friendly events at Welcome to Thornbury, where once a month there is a stall promoting pet registrations, animal desexing and responsible pet ownership,” she said.
Brimbank city development director Kelvin Walsh said the council ran public education campaigns on registering, desexing and microchipping pets.
“We provide a number of services and responsible dog ownership programs where rangers attend schools, community groups and culturally and linguistically diverse groups to educate on responsible pet ownership and additionally we provide information on our website,” he said.
Second Chance Animal Rescue Group operations manager Gemma Dunham said any dog could be dangerous.
“I don’t think it is a breed thing … either they are reacting to their environment, or it’s a lack of training or it’s genetic,” she said.
“Usually when dogs are trying to communicate to us that they are feeling worried or uncomfortable or unsafe, it’s really small things like they might blink excessively, their ears will go back, they will yawn … or they will tuck their tail, or they will shrink down, their hackles … will go up … and they will growl and they will bark.”
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RSPCA Victoria head of operations Tegan McPherson said warning signs of potential aggression included lunging, barking and growling.
She said signs of stress, which could escalate, included a stiff body, ears back and visible whites of the eyes, while freezing and staring could shift into aggression if a perceived threat persisted.
DOG ATTACK REPORTS 2018
Casey — 223
Yarra Ranges — 191
Frankston — 177
Mornington — 176
Darebin — 129
Knox — 113
Stonnington — 111
Moreland — 108
Brimbank — 104
Monash — 98
Port Phillip — 92
Yarra — 59
Whittlesea — 56
Nillumbik — 56
Melbourne — 53
Moonee Valley — 47
Wyndham — 47
Boroondara — 37
Maribyrnong — 30
Whitehorse — 28
Kingston — 22
Melton — 14
2018-19
Glen Eira — 81
Greater Dandenong — 47
Maroondah — 50
Hume — 158
Hobsons Bay — 92
Did not provide number of dog attack reports
Banyule
Bayside
Manningham
WHAT TO DO IF APPROACHED BY A DOG
■ Remain calm, avoid eye contact and let it sniff you. Loud noise and movement may excite the animal, but it should leave you alone if it does not sense a threat
■ If the dog attacks, try to deflect it by creating a barrier between you and them. Give it your jumper or your bag, or anything else that you use to distract it
■ If the attack continues, turn sideways to the dog. Try to protect your face, neck and front of your body with your arms
■ If there are people around, calmly ask them to call for help
■ If you witness a dog attacking someone else, call for help immediately without putting yourself or others in danger. Call local council rangers for assistance or emergency services
Source: RSPCA Victoria