24 January 2010

Reporting dog attack in Canberra

| jenny123
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This morning on my morning walk I was attacked by a pit bull in the Calwell area, after going for my terrier it turned on me and I have a large bite on my upper thigh.

I have done a google for a place were I can report dog attacks in Canberra but cant seem to find anything?

I am not 100% sure which house the dog came from so I am reluctant to approach the house, but I think I have a fair idea .

What is the best thing to do in this situation ?

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Taken from TAM’s website:

What happens if another dog attacks my dog or myself?

Both you and your dog have the right to use public land without fear of attack or harassment by other dogs.

If you or your dog are attacked, call Domestic Animal Services on 6207 2424, as soon as possible to inform them of the attack. For after emergency hours assistance from Domestic Animal Services, call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

A ranger is available to attend dog attacks 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

34904 said :

Today my husband was attacked by a Pit Bull in Phillipson Cres CALWELL. The dog was running free and he and the postman were attacked by this mongrel dog. I have rang the Rangers and if this dog is not put down I will be suing the irresponsible owners. These dogs should be illegal.

stop blaming the breed of dog – blame the breed of bogan that trains (intentionally or otherwise) these animals. make them illegal!

Today my husband was attacked by a Pit Bull in Phillipson Cres CALWELL. The dog was running free and he and the postman were attacked by this mongrel dog. I have rang the Rangers and if this dog is not put down I will be suing the irresponsible owners. These dogs should be illegal.

I’ve been a reader of Riot Act for years but never actually registered until reading this story today. I couldnt hold it anymore – had to get my two-cents worth in there. Several people I know have had their dogs attacked by Staffy’s/Pit Bulls that werent secured and recently my partner was walking home from work over xmas when a big staffy emerged from the front door of a house in our suburb (Tuggeranong area) and headed straight for them. It was barking madly and my partner crossed the road to get away – this seemed to infuriate the dog even more and it was only when the female owner emerged from the house and screamed “Rocky !…get in here !” or (something similar) that the dog stopped (in the middle of the road) and then turned to go back home while emitting a low gutteral growl. The dog had no collar. Staffy’s can be great dogs, but they require more training and discipline than your average pooch and it seems that the majority (not all) Staffy owners are young guys/gals who like the image that having a staffy portrays, they dont train these dogs correctly or show them any leadership – hence they end up maiming other dogs/children/people that cross their paths – All dog owners need to be responsible, Owners of Dogs with BAD attack records (Staffy’s, Pit Bulls etc) need to be extra vigilent and committed. And ‘No’ – you shouldnt have them off leash.

Call the police. They will get the police doctor to document the damage. If you end up with complications, there could be a victims of crime claim available, whether they locate the owner or not. I was bitten by a dog a few years ago and the police were right onto it – though I didn’t need to make a VOC claim. If a dog bites a human, it’s beyond ranger responsibility …

dvaey said :

A friend of mine was mauled by his next doors German Shepherd, about 3 days before christmas. Domestic Animal Services was called, and removed HIS dog, while leaving his neighbours aggressive dog where it was. About 2 weeks later, the Shepherd attacked again, this time mauling one of his dogs through a hole under the fence (which was repeatedly covered up). Again domestic animal services came out, and took his second dog (which had been bitten) and left the Shepherd where it was.

While having to goto hospital twice a day for dressing changes and antibiotics, Domestic Animal Services let him know that they’d destroyed his dog because it was aggressive (obviously, it had a big bite around its neck/shoulder) but they wouldnt take the German Shepherd off the dear old lady next door because they had no proof it was involved.

Since then, everytime we hear a dog howl or hear a kid scream while playing in the backyard, we always think the worst. Over a year later, and the German Shepherd is still there, domestic animal services have still done nothing, and its upto a total of 4 animals killed, two dogs from my friend, one cat over back fence and a 3rd dog on the other side.

The moral of this story, is if you get bitten by a dog, unless you take your own immediate action against the dog, youre pretty much on your own. Also, that DAS are about as helpful as calling DoCS for help with your kids during a rough time. Expect to find yourself under investigation and having to continually prove your case, no matter if youve got doctors letters or a dozen witnesses as my friend did.

If it is that bad and nothing has been done then I would say take the matter into your own hands and deal with it.

You will also have to deal with the inevitable consequences when they arise. If what you are saying is true then it will make for an interesting court case and a few interesting RA posts.

Jenny, Horrible thing to have happened to you! DAS is very helpful I’ve found, but you need to be persistent and keep following up. Someone else has given the DAS numbers. There is also some dog – related guidance at: http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/pets

My dog, who is usually very friendly bit another dog a few weeks ago now. Nothing really vicious, I have no idea why and I am REALLY concerned. I’ve spoken to a dog trainer and the vet but unfortunately inconsistent advice. Since then the muzzle is out more often. I paid for the ladies dog to have stitches/pain relief/anti biotics and she is ok with what happened. Reason I am telling this? Because all the posts above seem to imply that its only really irresponsible owners whom this happens to – but its not.

Also, if anyone has any further insights into what I can do to prevent with my dog – or any experiences they had which might help me to deal with it – I would be grateful.

Kanberran said :

I frikkin’ hate idiot owners of traditionally vicious dogs! Irresponsible pricks!

and what breeds would you say are “traditionally vicious dogs” in my experience any breed or cross breed can be vicious. My rotti has been attacked by 3 different breeds of dog twice coming off second best #1 red nose pitty while sitting at hubby’s feet with harness on in a friend’s backyard #2 Japanese Nikita through a whole under fence in his own back yard that the neighbours dog dug #3 jack russellx in his own backyard defending his female who was on heat.(for the record the jack was ours and wasn’t hurt badly small puncher would in back).

Most of the time it’s the owner not the breed. And I’m not one who would normally defend some breeds but have come to know most owners don’t know how to raise/train certain breeds.

Your problem to problem solving is that you used Google Search!

dvaey said :

A friend of mine was mauled by his next doors German Shepherd, about 3 days before christmas. Domestic Animal Services was called, and removed HIS dog, while leaving his neighbours aggressive dog where it was. About 2 weeks later, the Shepherd attacked again, this time mauling one of his dogs through a hole under the fence (which was repeatedly covered up). Again domestic animal services came out, and took his second dog (which had been bitten) and left the Shepherd where it was.

While having to goto hospital twice a day for dressing changes and antibiotics, Domestic Animal Services let him know that they’d destroyed his dog because it was aggressive (obviously, it had a big bite around its neck/shoulder) but they wouldnt take the German Shepherd off the dear old lady next door because they had no proof it was involved.

Since then, everytime we hear a dog howl or hear a kid scream while playing in the backyard, we always think the worst. Over a year later, and the German Shepherd is still there, domestic animal services have still done nothing, and its upto a total of 4 animals killed, two dogs from my friend, one cat over back fence and a 3rd dog on the other side.

The moral of this story, is if you get bitten by a dog, unless you take your own immediate action against the dog, youre pretty much on your own. Also, that DAS are about as helpful as calling DoCS for help with your kids during a rough time. Expect to find yourself under investigation and having to continually prove your case, no matter if youve got doctors letters or a dozen witnesses as my friend did.

I’m calling bollocks on this one. If they have all the witnesses they say who are willing to speak up there’s no way on God’s green earth this would happen.

The aggressive dogs are the one’s who get removed, and aggression is generally denoted by the one’s that aren’t injured.

This story has questions all through it

I frikkin’ hate idiot owners of traditionally vicious dogs! Irresponsible pricks!

dvaey, i think you have mistaken the 25th for 1st of April

Hopefully they catch the dog soon – my fear now is that it might attack someone more vulnerable like a small child.

It was casey cresent, I wont give the exact house number but it was between 20 and 30.

or you could start your own vigilante group, lynching ferocious dogs with the lycra litterers, and al other miscreants, to ensure canberra is once more the pristine environment we love so well… 😉

good luck with the ranger’s endeavours on this – let us know how it goes – and good to hear your pooch is ok in the end…

Jenny – would you mind telling me where abouts in Calwell the attack occurred? As a dog walking Calwell resident I’d like to be careful.
Hope you and your canine friend are okay…

Confusedwouldwe12:54 pm 25 Jan 10

I’d take your dog to the if there are puncture marks on your dog, or part the fur around the punctures and keep an eye out for inflammation. Also see a doctor as dog bites can cause bad infections.

A friend of mine was mauled by his next doors German Shepherd, about 3 days before christmas. Domestic Animal Services was called, and removed HIS dog, while leaving his neighbours aggressive dog where it was. About 2 weeks later, the Shepherd attacked again, this time mauling one of his dogs through a hole under the fence (which was repeatedly covered up). Again domestic animal services came out, and took his second dog (which had been bitten) and left the Shepherd where it was.

While having to goto hospital twice a day for dressing changes and antibiotics, Domestic Animal Services let him know that they’d destroyed his dog because it was aggressive (obviously, it had a big bite around its neck/shoulder) but they wouldnt take the German Shepherd off the dear old lady next door because they had no proof it was involved.

Since then, everytime we hear a dog howl or hear a kid scream while playing in the backyard, we always think the worst. Over a year later, and the German Shepherd is still there, domestic animal services have still done nothing, and its upto a total of 4 animals killed, two dogs from my friend, one cat over back fence and a 3rd dog on the other side.

The moral of this story, is if you get bitten by a dog, unless you take your own immediate action against the dog, youre pretty much on your own. Also, that DAS are about as helpful as calling DoCS for help with your kids during a rough time. Expect to find yourself under investigation and having to continually prove your case, no matter if youve got doctors letters or a dozen witnesses as my friend did.

I was attacked by two bull mastiffs from a breeder’s place on Xmas Day ’08. I saved the dog I was walking but got two hours in Casualty being patched up. I called the police only to be told “We stopped responding to dog attacks over 5 years ago”. First words from the responsible person at the breeders’ place were: “Don’t blame the breed”. True but not a word of regret for my predicament.

DAS came round the next day and took an exhaustive statement. They inspected the premises, gave the person responsible a warning and a $400 fine and told him to put a padlock on the gate. As the dogs had burst the gate against the lock, this would have had little or no effect. All this in spite of the fact that they were out of their cages at the time, one dog was known to be dog aggressive and could no longer be shown. My reading of the law was that there was a $400 fine for a dog being off lead in a public place and another $400 for not being under control making the fine $1600. If You want to know about any follow up You have to contact DAS. They do not seem to inform You of any action. Incidentally, the Registrar at DAS has to get the approval of a magistrate before He can order a dog to be destroyed.

Definitely get to your doctor ASAP and tell him/her what happened, if you have not had a tetanus shot before or it has expired you need to get one.
Contact the police about it.

Jenny, I’d start by calling the police. The only way you’ll have get the owners of the Pit Bull to pay up for any vet/medical costs is to prove they’re responsible for the dog.

Ended up getting in contact with domestic animals and the ranger said he will go over straight away.

The dog is ok, he has puncture wounds above his neck, after he was attacked he did a runner and bolted the whole way home – ( 15 minutes away) – smart dog.

I certainly won’t be paying for the vet bill or tenus shot.

grunge_hippy10:16 pm 24 Jan 10

ring the ranger. happened to my hubby a few years ago, they were there within the 1/2 hour, the dog was seized and it was all very efficient. the dog was eventually returned to them, but it was not allowed out of the yard or it would be taken away permanently.

That’s awful, and concerning as this tiny pup sits on my lap. Hope you get somewhere with this.

Dog attacked should be reported to Domestic Animal Services 6207 2424 or 13 22 81

AussieRodney9:40 pm 24 Jan 10

Start by reporting the incident to the Police?

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