Wilsonton Heights off-leash park: Dog’s throat torn in fatal attack

An elderly woman’s beloved pooch has been viciously killed after two dogs tore his throat in horrifying scenes at a Toowoomba off-leash park.

An elderly woman has lost her canine companion in a savage attack, where two dogs tore his throat at a Toowoomba off-leash park.

The incident occurred at the Wilsonton Heights park on Easter Sunday while Dawn Ricardo was walking Puppa, a 13-year-old shiz tsu.

According to friend Kerry Chamberlain, Ms Ricardo ran onto the road for assistance, as no apparent owners of the two dogs could be found.

Ms Ricardo was also bitten during the incident.

“(Dawn) is devastated and traumatised by the loss of her beloved boy,” Ms Chamberlain said.

Environmental health portfolio leader, councillor Tim McMahon, confirmed the incident was reported to Toowoomba Regional Council about noon on Sunday.

“Members of the public helped council’s officer locate and seize two roaming dogs that were suspected of attacking a small breed dog. The small dog later died from its injuries,” Mr McMahon said.

“Council is holding the two seized dogs.

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

Mr McMahon said the council was “concerned” about the seriousness of the attack.

“It is totally unacceptable in any community for a person or another animal to be attacked by a dog,” he said.

It’s not the first time Puppa was the target of vicious dogs in the same park.

Late last year he was attacked by two different dogs, and needed treatment after they tore his ears.

Puppa hid in a bush to survive that attack.

Puppa was killed when his throat was torn by two dogs at a Toowoomba dog park.

Ms Chamberlain is now calling on Toowoomba Regional Council to build fencing at the Wine Drive park.

She would like to see the council erect a fence inside a portion of the area currently allocated for off-leash use.

Following the initial attack, Ms Chamberlain wrote a letter outlining her request to Mr McMahon.

She received a response from the council’s acting manager for parks and recreation services, Kevin Jefferies, who poured cold water on the idea.

Ms Jefferies said the suggestion was not supported by the council, claiming that majority of people did not want parks fenced, and fencing was a “major cost item” that had a negative impact on responsible pet ownership.

In a statement, Mr McMahon confirmed there were no plans to fence any part of the park.

Ms Chamberlain was unsatisfied with the response.

“Is human and animal safety not considered necessary? I am thoroughly disgusted and sickened by the lack of response and care on council’s part,” she said.