By Charlene Gatt
A PERSON sustained a puncture wound to the leg last week in a dog attack with a Yorkshire Terrier.
The attack is one of nearly 300 cases of dog attacks across the City of Maribyrnong since 2006, with 29 attacks reported this year alone.
In this case, the person was treated by a local doctor and Maribyrnong City Council is investigating the attack, but many cases have had more dire repercussions.
Another person required hospitalisation after sustaining a laceration during a reported dog attack in August 2010.
The matter was heard in the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court in January this year, and the dog owner had to pay $1350 in fines and costs, while the Staffordshire Terrier Cross responsible for the attack was voluntarily surrendered to the council at the time of the investigation.
The council’s parking and local laws manager Tom Gladwin said dog attacks were high priority incidents for the local laws team, with the council dealing with around 50 to 60 cases a year.
No dog attacks this year have required hospital admissions. Two dogs have been put down this year as a result of dog attacks.
There are currently seven declared dangerous dogs within the City of Maribyrnong, with breeds including Red Heeler, Labrador Cross, German Shepherd Cross, Anatolian Shepherd, Maltese Cross and Heeler.
“All dogs have the potential to become dangerous dogs if their owners fail to act responsibly for them,” Mr Gladwin said.
“It is the responsibility of the owner to socialise their dog, make sure it is always under effective control and on a leash when not in off-leash areas.”
