Geelong dog attack victim wants all dogs muzzled after being ‘mauled’ on her daily walk

A woman who was “mauled” by a greyhound on her daily walk is calling for all dogs to be muzzled. HAVE YOUR SAY.

Louise Gambino was recently attacked by a dog in Grovedale. She asked for her face not to be identified. Picture: Brad Fleet

A woman who suffered serious injuries to her arm after being “mauled” by a greyhound on her daily walk is calling for all dogs to wear muzzles in public.

Louise Gambino has walked nearby her Grovedale home every day for three decades.

She was walking along the footpath on Burdoo Drive earlier this month when two greyhounds, who were on their owner’s leash, approached from the other direction.

Ms Gambino said the owner moved the dogs to the nature strip to let her pass.

“(But) one dog pulled away from the owner and pushed me over … people don’t realise how quickly dogs can move,” she said.

“It was going for my face, but I lifted my arm over my face.

“It mauled my arm, now my arm’s a mess.

“It was a big dog and very strong so the young girl walking couldn’t hold it, it leapt and pulled and lunged.

“In the end, she pulled it off me.”

Ms Gambino said it would take months for her to recover, with her wounds potentially requiring surgery.

“And the psychological impacts … I don’t know when I’ll be able to walk again without feeling paranoid,” she said.

The incident has led her to believe that all dogs should be required to wear muzzles when in public, regardless if they are on a leash.

“You should be able to safely walk in your neighbourhood,” she said.

“If I had have been a child or a baby in a stroller, it could have been really bad … I don’t want to think about it.

“They (dog owners) all think their dog is their little darling, but owners don’t understand what damage dogs can do.

“All dogs have the potential to attack, and owners need to think about it when they’re out walking them in public.”

Up until 2019, the law dictated that all greyhounds must be muzzled.

The dog that attacked Ms Gambino has since been euthanised.

Geelong council’s executive director of city life Anthony Basford said there had been a minor increase in reported dog attacks during the past 12 months.

“Dogs are required on leash in Greater Geelong unless in a designated off leash area, where they need to be under the effective control of their owner at all times,” he said.

Mr Basford said animal management officers proactively patrolled the region in an attempt to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

“They educate the community about responsible pet ownership and seek to reduce behaviours that pose a risk,” he said.

“By training and socialising their animals, dog owners can prevent behavioural issues.

“This will lead to better outcomes for their pet, themselves and the community.”

Mr Basford said council encouraged the community to report any attacks so that they could be investigated.

Barwon Health emergency department director Belinda Hibble said dog attack presentations were mostly minor injuries.

Originally published as Geelong dog attack victim wants all dogs muzzled after being ‘mauled’ on her daily walk