Attack on pup prompts warning over unregistered pet-sitters
Dog owners are being warned about who they leave their beloved pooches with this Christmas after a St Kilda East couple’s labradoodle puppy was bitten and seriously injured by another dog while staying with a dog carer.
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Dog owners have been warned about unregistered pet-sitters after a St Kilda East couple’s labradoodle puppy was bitten and seriously injured by another dog while staying with a dog carer.
Laura Binnie and Aaron Meiselbach were heartbroken when they got the call that their four-month-old pup, Larry, was attacked while they were in Sydney for a family celebration in August.
“It’s been a nightmare. Larry now gets really scared of loud noises and other dogs and we now can’t take him to the dog park,’’ Ms Binnie said.
The couple have spent more than $10,000 from their wedding savings on surgeries and vet bills as Larry has battled back to health.
The pooch had 14 fractures in his skull including around his jaw and eye socket.
“His eye is never going to be the same again,’’ she said.
“But I guess being so young was a blessing in disguise because his skull was still soft.’’
The couple found the dog-sitter through an app which promised their sitters were all checked and had insurance.
The sitter was no longer connected to the service.
The case prompted the City of Melbourne to call on pet owners to ensure pet-sitters and
boarding houses were registered with their local council as people leave their pets for summer holidays.
“Pet owners using pet-sitting apps and websites to connect with animal carers should check that the carer complies with local animal management laws,” deputy lord mayor Arron Wood said.
“Pets are an important member of the family and that’s why it’s vital to ensure you are leaving them somewhere safe before heading off on holiday.
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“A commercial pet-sitter found through an app or website must be registered as a domestic animal business even if they’re operating out of their own home.
“An unregistered pet-sitter might not understand their responsibilities in terms of housing animals separately from each other and this could lead to your dog being involved in an altercation or incident.’’
Cr Wood said dog attacks, whether they happened in a park, on the street or while being looked after by a pet-sitter, were taken seriously by the council.