25 October 2017

Woman killed in dog attack overnight in Watson

| Ruwendi Wakwella
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Police wrap

At approximately 3:40 am this morning (Wednesday 25 October) police were called to a residence in Molesworth Street in Watson where a man and woman were being attacked by a dog.

Police attempted to provide first aid to the female victim when the dog then attacked them. Attending officers then drew their weapons and were forced to euthanise the animal.

No police officers were injured during the incident.

ACT Ambulance Service attended the scene and the male victim was conveyed to hospital. He had sustained bite marks on the inside of his leg but is said to be in a stable condition.

The female victim died at the scene as a result of the injuries sustained during the attack.

ACT Policing said that the female was believed to be in her late forties. Neighbours called the police when they heard cries for help.

They further stated that the woman was known to the man. However, the ownership of the dog is yet to be confirmed.

AFP Forensic Services and ACT Policing Criminal Investigations are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A report will be prepared for the ACT Coroner.

ACT Policing encouraged the public to call 000 immediately if they see a dog attack. They further recommend calling Domestic Animal Services on 13 22 81 to report a dangerous dog.

ACT opposition leader Alistair Coe has declared his deepest sympathies to the family of the female victim and has requested an urgent briefing from responsible ministers.

The incident follows a number of previous attacks by dangerous dogs in the ACT, with calls for the Government to strengthen laws surrounding the issue.

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Holden Caulfield said :

dungfungus said :

Brianna said :

The police have not stated what breed of dog this was. Typical media hype to state, without facts that the dog was a pit bull.

In fact it was the ABC that said it was a pitt-bull terrier and they are renowned for media hype. Since then it has been confirmed that the dog was of that breed and it had attacked someone else 2 months ago.

So, based on your post, the ABC reported the dog was a pit bull, a fact which you indicate has been verified by a second source. How then is the ABC guilty of media hype by reporting the breed of the dog? Could it be that they too had verified this before reporting the fact?

The Canberra Times is reporting the victim was the owner of the dog. Not sure if that makes the situation better or worse, but it’s terrible news either way and thoughts go to her children and family.

I was satirising Brianna’s use of “media hype” by suggesting the ABC was at fault when in fact, they rarely are. The police should have stated from the outset that the dog was a pitt bull, in fact the same pitt bull they had to deal with 3 months ago.

Holden Caulfield11:41 am 26 Oct 17

dungfungus said :

Brianna said :

The police have not stated what breed of dog this was. Typical media hype to state, without facts that the dog was a pit bull.

In fact it was the ABC that said it was a pitt-bull terrier and they are renowned for media hype. Since then it has been confirmed that the dog was of that breed and it had attacked someone else 2 months ago.

So, based on your post, the ABC reported the dog was a pit bull, a fact which you indicate has been verified by a second source. How then is the ABC guilty of media hype by reporting the breed of the dog? Could it be that they too had verified this before reporting the fact?

The Canberra Times is reporting the victim was the owner of the dog. Not sure if that makes the situation better or worse, but it’s terrible news either way and thoughts go to her children and family.

Brianna said :

The police have not stated what breed of dog this was. Typical media hype to state, without facts that the dog was a pit bull.

In fact it was the ABC that said it was a pitt-bull terrier and they are renowned for media hype. Since then it has been confirmed that the dog was of that breed and it had attacked someone else 2 months ago.

The police report said the police officers “euthanized the dog with their weapons”. That’s the first time I have heard that something has been euthanized with a Glock.

How awful for the police and paramedics who had to deal with this. And how sad for the woman’s family.

“They (ACT Policing) further recommend calling Domestic Animal Services on 13 22 81 to report a dangerous dog.”

Unfortunately, unless things have changed, this is a useless piece of advice unless you know the address of the dog’s owner. I remember some years back talking to someone who tried to report a couple of large dogs roaming free and the DAS response was that if you can’t tell us where they’re from we can’t do anything about it.

The police have not stated what breed of dog this was. Typical media hype to state, without facts that the dog was a pit bull.

It’s reported elsewhere that the dog was a pitt bull. Why do people keep these dogs?

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