By Belinda Nolan
Keith Fox, 72, says he is terrified to walk his Jack Russell, Cheech, in Churchill Reserve after the tiny dog was set upon by two large dogs which were roaming free in the park.
Although the reserve is a designated on leash walking area, Mr Fox said residents continually flouted the rules, letting their dogs run wild.
On 1 March, Mr Fox was walking Cheech on a leash in the reserve when the rogue dogs attacked, forcing the pensioner to hold his dog over his head to prevent them from mauling him to death.
“It was really frightening,” Mr Fox said.
“I’m not in the best of health and I really struggled to keep Cheech out of the way.
“While I was holding him in the air the dogs were jumping all over me and snapping trying to get to him.
“They would have torn him to pieces if they had got to him.”
Although the owners managed to drag the dogs away, Mr Fox said the incident had left him terrified to use the reserve for fear of further attacks on his dog or himself.
“He’s only a little dog so it’s not safe for him if people are going to be allowing their dogs to roam free,” he said.
“And it’s not safe for anyone for that matter.
“There are many children and elderly people who use that reserve and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.”
Mr Fox has written to Brimbank CEO Nick Foa, urging him to take action to make the park safer for all users.
He wants the council to install signage at the Power St entrance to ensure all dog owners are aware of the rules.
