Perth WA: Siberian Husky kills 2 week old baby

Note: This report is from 2007.

"the girl's parents were "devastated" and under sedation"

A two week old baby girl was killed in her cot by the family pet Siberian Husky in Perth. The parents were nearby watching TV but believed the dog was outside. They heard noise from the child's bedroom and went to investigate. There they discovered the dog had taken hold of their daughter by the head and removed her from the cot.

The parents are under sedation. The newborn was their only daughter although they have four or five sons.

Prepared using report "Perth baby dies after dog attack", theage.com.au, 28/8/07, http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Twoweekold-baby-dies-after-dog-attack/2007/08/28/1188067079701.html, accessed 27/6/08.

Orange NSW: Dogs kill 1 cat, maul another

"There are small children everywhere around here, who knows what could happen."

A family cat has been mauled to death by two dogs in Orange. The following day a second cat was mauled but survived.

Witnesses say the dogs wore collars, indicating they had owners in the region, but they have not yet been found.

A neighbour reported seeing the dogs about three weeks earlier, attempting to dig their way into back yards.

Prepared using report "Killer dogs stalk family pets", Central Western Daily, 30/5/08, http://orange.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/killer-dogs-stalk-family-pets/779810.aspx, accessed 27/6/08. Photo of Orange veterinarian Judith Carney and veterinary assistant Tori Anderson uncredited from the source article.

Blacktown NSW: Pitbulls maul fox terrier to death in front of 73 year old owner

"We were kicking and hitting him, but he had Penny in his mouth and wouldn't let [her] go ... blood was everywhere."

A pair of dogs - one a pitbull, the other a pitbull cross - has mauled to death a fox terrier in front of its 73 year old owner. The dogs, which lived next door, had jumped the fence into the elderly woman's yard.

The owner of the fox terrier had requested only days previously that the pitbull owners ensure their dogs remain on their side of the fence after they had jumped into the yard.

The pitbull raced up and held the smaller dog in its mouth, not letting go. The pitbull cross chased the family's second terrier through the house.

A neighbour heard the commotion and called police.

The attacking dogs were later destroyed.

Although one terrier was saved, their second - named Penny -"was killed right in front of us," said the woman. "We're both traumatised by it, my husband and I. We keep crying, on and off. I just want people to be held responsible for their dogs."

Prepared using report "Pit bulls maul foxy to death", Blacktown Advocate, 11/6/08, http://www.blacktownadvocate.com.au/article/2008/06/11/2267_news.html, accessed 27/6/08.

Rowville Vic: Pet staffordshire terrier mastiff cross attacks 14 year old boy

"Advanced life support paramedics arrived at his home where the boy's mother had wrapped his hand in a towel."

A 14 year old boy was bitten on the hand by his pet staffordshire terrier mastiff cross at Rowville. The dog was in a fight with another person's cocker spaniel when he tried to separate the animals.

The was attended by life support paramedics and had suffered cuts and a suspected fractured finger. He was taken to hospital.

The attack comes a week after a media report that the local council had made a decision not to destroy 5 of the 22 dogs on its dangerous dogs register. The five dogs in question had all attacked other animals but are now at their homes and "subject to regulations such as wearing muzzles while being walked, and a scanning chip that enables council officers to track their whereabouts"

Prepared using report "Pet dog attacks teenager", Knox Leader, 17/6/08, http://www.knoxleader.com.au/article/2008/06/17/37245_knv_news.html, accessed 27/6/08.

Spearwood WA: Pit bull cross attacks 3 people

"Police shot dead the male dog"

Police and a local ranger were called to Spearwood following reports of two pit bull cross dogs roaming the streets. The ranger and two neighbours were then attacked by the male dog. Police were forced to close off streets, but ultimately shot dead the male dog. The female was taken by the ranger.

All three injured persons were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police and council are "pursuing prosecution of the owner for the dog attack, which carries a maximum $5000 fine if convicted."

Prepared using report "Three injured in dog attack in Perth", ABC News, 1/6/08, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/01/2261663.htm?section=justin, accessed 27/6/08; "Authorities wait to hear from dog attack owner", 5/6/08, thewest.com.au, http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=77168, accessed 27/6/08.

Currabubula NSW: Dog kills 57 year old man

"The 57-year-old victim was confirmed dead at 2.25 pm"

A man - almost certainly believed to be "knockabout Australian traveller" Mr Chris Spence - was discovered deceased in Currabubula following a dog attack.

A passer-by discovered the victim and called local publican Stuart Scott to ask how to call an ambulance. He called back 10 minutes later explaining someone had been savaged by a dog and asked what to do until the ambulance arrived.

Although paramedics arrived swiftly, the man was confirmed deceased.

Prepared using report "Goodbye Chris: Nomad killed in dog attack", The Northern Leader, 26/6/08, http://tamworth.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/goodbye-chris-nomad-killed-in-dog-attack/797822.aspx, accessed 27/6/08. Photo uncredited from the source article.

Hobartville NSW: Two Staffordshire bull terriers maul 1 year old boy

"the man was arrested at the scene and later charged with maliciously causing a dog to inflict grievous bodily harm"

A one year old boy suffered head, chest and leg injuries after being attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers at Hobartville. He was then transported to a home in Cranebrook where ambulance personnel assisted.

A 36 year old male relative of the boy was arrested and charged with maliciously causing a dog to inflict grievous bodily harm.

The boy is in a serious but stable condition in hospital and has been taken into care by the Department of Community Services.

The dogs belong to the family of the child and it is believed they will be destroyed.

Prepared using report "Boy taken into care after dog attack", news.com.au 22/6/08, http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23903325-1702,00.html accessed 26/6/08; "CORRECTION: Man charged following dog attack - Hobartville", NSW Police Force, 22/6/08, http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjIyMDQuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ%3D%3D, accessed 27/6/08.

Mandurah WA: Two American Bulldogs critically injure 29 year old woman

"It looks like the dogs have become upset by the pair of them arguing and attacked the woman"

A 29 year old woman was taken to Perth hospital in a critical condition after being attacked by two American bulldogs. Just prior to the attack she had been arguing with her boyfriend at their shared home.

Their house had been set on fire, apparently during the dispute, and the woman had fled the house. She was then attacked near the front entrance when she returned to attempt to save the dogs.

The woman and her partner each owned one dog. One dog was destroyed with its owner's permission. The other was returned to the house.

Prepared using report "Woman critically injured in dog attack", Sydney Morning Herald, 22/6/08, http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/woman-critically-injured-in-dog-attack/2008/06/22/1214073042929.html accessed 26/6/08.

Peakhurst NSW: Staffordshire bull terrier cross attacks ambulance driver's pet puppy

"I thought my dog was going to get savaged to death ... It could have been a child it was attacking."

PEAKHURST ambulance driver Phillip Murdoch was walking his 5 month old cocker spaniel-poodle cross in Baumans Road Peakhurst when a Staffordshire bull terrier cross attacked his pet.

A nearby resident assisted Mr Murdoch in releasing the puppy from the attacking dog. After about 60 seconds of attack the puppy was freed and taken to the vet for treatment. Although she received "relatively minor injuries" she was in shock for about a week before being able to venture outside again.

The attacking dog was not microchipped. Council ordered "that the dog was not to be released if the owner came forward because of outstanding civil matters ... If no owner comes forward the dog is not to be rehoused."

Prepared using report "Dog Attack", St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, 19/6/08, http://stgeorge.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/dog-attack/792416.aspx accessed 26/6/08. Photo by Chris Lane from the source article.

Cronulla NSW: Bulldog attacks pet dog walked by 70 year old owner

"As I was pushing my dog through the ... window the bull[dog] came in again..."

A 70 year old woman watched as her "little dog" was "grabbed" by a bulldog on 19 June 2008.

A "Good Samaritan" drove his ute onto the footpath to distract the bulldog long enough for it to let go of the woman's pet. Whilst pushing her dog through the window of the ute the bulldog attacked again but the driver managed to shut his window in time to stop the second attack.

In a letter to the editor of the local paper, the pet owner asks the ute-driver to make contact so she can arrange for blood to be removed from his car seat and to update him on developments.

Prepared using report "Driver to rescue in dog attack", St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, 26/6/08, p7.