Toowoomba dog attack: Council investigating Thiess Park Darling Heights dog attack with public help needed to identify vehicle

Toowoomba Regional Council is still searching for a man and his two dogs after a woman was viciously mauled at a popular dog park, with public help needed to  identify a distinctive vehicle.

Update: As investigations into a vicious dog attack at a popular Toowoomba park continue, the public have been urged to come forward with any information as the victim continues to recover from her serious injuries.

Darling Heights woman Vyvyan Glover was hospitalised after she was mauled by two dogs at the popular Thiess Off-Leash Dog Park, with council appealing for the public’s help in tracking down the dogs involved and their owner.

Toowoomba Regional Council Environmental Health portfolio leader Tim McMahon confirmed staff were looking into an incident that was reported on the morning of August 11, 2022.

A TRC animal management officer attended the site after the incident was reported, and Ms Glover was taken to Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition with injuries to her arms after she was bitten by two dogs.

Toowoomba Regional Council is investigating a serious dog attack and believe the owner of this vehicle can assist with their inquiries.

Ms Glover said she was walking Jack Russell Kemba to the park, and noticed a man with three dogs within the enclosure “playing happily” some distance away.

After entering the off-leash area Ms Glover said she had only walked a few steps before the man began yelling at her to “get out now”.

“I called Kemba and picked him up, and by the time I had him in my arms I looked up and saw the dogs were a couple of steps away, then they were biting me,” she said.

“There was one dog on my left, and one on my right.

“I don’t know what was going through my head, I was just trying to protect my dog. My first instinct was to save Kemba and I’m glad I did what I did because I don’t know how I would go seeing him mauled to death. I’m sure he would have died if those dogs got hold of him.”

Ms Glover was knocked to the ground during the assault as the two dogs mauled her arms, causing severe bruising and lacerations.

Home security camera captured a blue dual cab ute parked near Thiess Park at the time of the attack, with a male driver leaving soon after the incident with three dogs.

While Mr McMahon said council had received information in relation to the blue dual cab utility associated with the incident at Thiess Park, follow up inquiries and investigations have not been able to establish any further evidence or information to assist in identifying the owner of the utility and dogs involved.

Investigations are continuing and council is hopeful of gaining further information to assist.

Mr McMahon said the council was concerned about the seriousness of the attack, and it was unacceptable for a person or animal to be attacked by a dog.

“Toowoomba Regional Council treats all reported dog attacks seriously and investigates matters thoroughly,” Mr McMahon said.

“As the investigation is continuing, no further comment on this case can be provided at this stage.

Thiess Park dog park. Photo: Google Maps.

“It is totally unacceptable in any community for a person or another animal to be attacked by a dog. Council undertakes all actions strictly in accordance with the State Government’s Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.

“Council encourages and promotes a range of responsible pet ownership measures. Dog owners have a responsibility to maintain control of their dogs in public at all times.

“They also have a duty to ensure dogs are properly enclosed in private yards and do not wander.”

The public can call 131 872, including after hours, to report dog attacks.