‘I was screaming’: Toowoomba woman’s traumatic dog attack

A Toowoomba resident has called out irresponsible pet owners after an off-leash dog attacked her dog, resulting in a $1600 vet bill, seriously injured pet and trauma. Read the full story here.

Walking through Drayton Cemetery had always been a peaceful outing for Diana Sargent and her pet Greyhound May, but after an unprovoked dog attack and a $1600 vet bill, the pair haven’t returned to their favourite spot since.

On the afternoon of September 4, Diana and May were walking through the cemetery when three large off-leash dogs ran towards them.

Diana Sargent's dog May was left seriously injured and traumatised after she was attacked by an off-leash dog in a public place.

Despite Diana’s attempts to call for help, one of the dogs attacked May, leaving two large puncture wounds on either side of her hips, causing the muscle to rip away from her skin.

“I was just screaming and screaming for someone to help me and all I could think of was getting her away – it didn’t even enter my head that I could be bitten myself,” she said.

“May was screaming too but greyhounds tend to scream when they’re hurt.”

Witnesses came to help Diana and after confronting the owner of the dog who attacked May, Diana said “he just got into his car and drove off”.

Unsure of the breed of the dog involved in the attack, Diana said it was golden brown in colour, appeared to be a crossbreed and she estimated it weighed about 45 to 50kg.

Diana Sargent's dog May was left seriously injured and traumatised after she was attacked by an off-leash dog in a public place.

Diana rushed her pet to the Red Vets Emergency clinic where May received treatment for her wounds and had tubes inserted for a week to drain the blood which was pooling, resulting in a $1600 bill.

The dog owner said while May has healed beautifully, she is now a very nervous dog.

“It was pretty terrifying – I don’t like to think about what could have happened because what did happen was bad enough,” she said.

“I don’t want their dog put down or destroyed and I don’t think it’s the animal’s fault – I just want people to be responsible dog owners.”

TRC Councillor James O’Shea said all dog attacks reported to council were taken seriously and investigated.

“The owner of the offending dog has subsequently been identified and issued with infringement notices. This matter has been finalised,” he said.

In August and September this year, 29 incidents involving a dog causing injury to another dog, person or animal were reported to council with four infringement notices issued to owners who failed to restrain their dogs in public.

Council is still looking to identify the male owner of a dog who attacked a woman at Thiess Park, Darling Heights in August.

A 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.

If anyone has any information they are urged to contact Toowoomba Regional Council on 131 872.