Allens Rivulet dog attack and death under investigation

An investigation is underway into a dog attack that has left a man dead and a woman in a serious condition. Latest.

Kingston, Tasmania. Monday 16th October 2023. Kingston Division Police Inspector Colin Riley and Kingborough council general manager, Gary Arnold speak to media after a fatal dog attack at Allens Rivulet in the South of the State. One man died of his injuries and a woman is in a stable condition in the Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: Linda Higginson

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances where a 66-year-old man was attacked and killed by his dog and a female family member, 64, was left with serious lower leg injuries.

A team of emergency officers descended on an Allens Rivulet property late Sunday night, after a neighbour reported noise of the attack and called the police about 10.40pm.

The man was found dead at the property by a team of five police officers. The man had suffered severe lower leg injuries, police said. His dog was euthanised on the scene by a team of two animal management officers.

The woman was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital and also suffering serious injuries to her lower limbs, police said.

Tasmanian Police Inspector Colin Riley said the police were grateful that emergency officers weren’t injured at the scene.

“This incident is very rare and this is obviously a family who had a loved pet and unfortunately that animal has turned on them,” he said.

“This has had tragic outcomes and our thoughts go out to the family.”

Police confirmed that the man and woman were home together at the time of the attack, as well as two other dogs, one of which is the same breed as the now-euthanised dog.

Police did not confirm the breeds of any of the dogs at the property.

“What happened proceeding the injury will be investigated by police in the coming months and that will lead to a detailed report to the coroner,” Inspector Riley said.

Inspector Riley emphasised the “very rare” circumstance of death and injury from a dog attack and said that the dogs and owners were not known to police.

Kingborough Council General Manager Gary Arnold confirmed all three dogs at the Allens Rivulet property were not registered with council and there were no reports about the property in recent months.

Mr Arnold also said that no incidents of dog fighting were recorded recently in the Kingborough municipality.

“Our hearts go out to the family as well as all of the police, paramedics and our animal management officers at the scene,” he said.

“It is a difficult day and we do not take the situation lightly.”

The woman was last night in a stable condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Man dead after dog attack in Tasmania’s far South

October 16, 12:25pm

A 66 year old man has died after he was attacked by his own dog at Allen’s Rivulet late last night.

Police were called to the home of the man and a 64 year old woman about 10:40pm in response to the attack, arriving to find the man had sustained serious injuries to his lower legs.

Tasmania Police Inspector Colin Riley said the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The woman was transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital with serious injuries to her lower limbs,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s loved ones at this difficult time.”

Mr Riley said the dog was euthanised at the scene by an animal management officer.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.