A bid to free a dog turned violent, leaving two men in hospital with serious stab wounds

AN attempt to free a dog locked up in a Burnie pound escalated to a violent confrontation which has left two 24-year-old men in hospital with serious stab wounds.

Police investigate the stabbing at the Burnie Dogs’ Home. Pictures: CHRIS KIDD

AN attempt to free a dog locked up in a Burnie pound escalated to a violent confrontation which has left two 24-year-old men in hospital with serious stab wounds.

Just after 10pm on Wednesday, the dogs housed at the facility in Stowport Rd started barking loudly.

The noise woke the home’s caretaker – who lives on site – and he went to investigate.

Police say he found three men on the property trying to free an Alaskan malamute.

The dog allegedly belonged to one of the intruders and had been surrendered to the pound and was to be declared dangerous.

The mother of the 21-year-old caretaker, who also lives in the house on site, rang police after the confrontation between the three trespassers and her son became violent.

Detective Kim Steven said the caretaker was armed with a flick knife and he had allegedly inflicted injuries on the men during the altercation.

Police were called to the incident about 10pm on Wednesday.

Police investigate the violent incident.

Police said both men, aged 24, received significant wounds to the chest. Det Steven said the men’s injuries were first thought to be life-threatening but the men were later listed as being in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Another man in his 40s was not injured and the caretaker received a minor stab wound to his leg.

Windows in the house on the property were smashed along with windows in the dog’s home’s office and those of a vehicle parked there.

“I can indicate it appears the caretaker of the business stabbed two of the men who were trespassing on the property,” Det Steven said.

Police are yet to speak to the injured men and no charges have been laid.

The broken windows in the office.

Dog’s Homes of Tasmania chief executive Belinda Barnes said the organisation often had to deal with dog owners trying to “bypass the law” and take back their impounded pets.

“It is one of the things we have to deal with and have had quite a few issues in Devonport of late,” she said.

“Most of those targeted have been declared dangerous dogs.”

Ms Barnes said the dog at the centre of violence had been surrendered by its owner to be relocated and rehomed. The shelter is closed while investigations continue and is expected to stay shut until the weekend.

Anyone with information should call Burnie CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as A bid to free a dog turned violent, leaving two men in hospital with serious stab wounds