Woman taken to FMC after dog attack at Lonsdale RSPCA shelter

A volunteer has been rushed to Flinders Medical Centre after being bitten by a dog at the RSPCA’s Lonsdale shelter. The facility has now closed its doors to the public for the day.

A volunteer has been taken to hospital after being bitten by a dog at the RSPCA’s Lonsdale shelter.

An SA Ambulance crew was dispatched to the animal care and protection services centre with reports a person had been bitten by an animal at about 9am Tuesday.

A woman in her 70s had been bitten by a dog on the arm.

RSPCA spokesperson Carolyn Jones told The Advertiser the female volunteer was waiting to be assessed at the Flinders Medical Centre after the bite from the mixed breed dog.

The SA RSPCA's Lonsdale Shelter. Picture: File

Ms Jones said she was not aware of the extent of the injuries, however, the woman was “doing okay”.

She said the volunteer was bitten on the arm by a dog in the organisation’s care at about 9am, and that no decision had been made about its future “because the incident is under investigation”.

“The dog was in protective custody with the RSPCA pending potential legal action against its owner,” she said.

“SA Ambulance officers treated the woman before transferring her to the Flinders Medical Centre where she is awaiting assessment.

“We are hopeful that this much loved and valued volunteer, who has been working with us for 13 years and has extensive experience and training in the handling of dogs, will make a full recovery.

The RSPCA at Lonsdale was closed on Tuesday after a volunteer was bitten by a dog. Picture: Zayda Dollie

She said the safety and wellbeing of staff and volunteers was of the “highest priority”.

“Strict and regularly reviewed procedures are in place to mitigate the risk of incidents like this occurring.”

“With over 8000 animals coming through our doors every year, some of them from situations of chronic neglect and abuse, some animals will on occasion react from fear in unpredictable and sometimes dangerous ways.

“These incidents are distressing but fortunately very rare. The circumstances around what has happened are at this stage unclear but, as when any such incident occurs, it will be thoroughly investigated.”

The RSPCA’s Lonsdale shelter, which is the charity’s largest animal shelter in South Australia, closed its doors to the public after the incident on Tuesday.

The facility offers pet adoption services, a foster care program and a pet retail shop.

The Lonsdale site also offers student placements and volunteer opportunities.

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Originally published as Woman taken to FMC after dog attack at Lonsdale RSPCA shelter