Jean Manning was the victim of a vicious dog attack in Werribee and inset, the man police wish to speak to. 75852 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Xavier Smerdon
THE victim of a horrific dog attack in Werribee earlier this month has told of shock when the owner of the vicious bullmastiff simply walked away.
Jean Manning from Werribee was walking from her car to her local supermarket in Watton St on Saturday 14 January around 7am when a large dog charged at her and jumped towards her face.
“It just lunged at me from about 20 feet away,” Ms Manning told Star.
“It was heading straight for my throat.”
In a moment of instinct the 72-year-old raised her arm to cover her face. The dog latched on however, leaving Ms Manning bleeding and in shock.
But the biggest shock for the volunteer at the State Rose Garden came when the owner of the dog refused to help and actually fled the scene.
“There was blood dripping everywhere and the guy just looked straight through me,” she said.
“I actually asked him a couple of times if I could have his details and he just walked away.”
Luckily for Ms Manning two nurses who were shopping at the time and several staff members came to her aid.
Police are still searching for the owner of the dog, which Ms Manning said did not look very healthy.
A Wyndham Council spokesperson said that it was likely the dog would be seized pending an investigation into the incident.
Ms Manning said she believed the dog should be destroyed.
“I think it should be put down because if my grandchild was with me it could have been a whole different story.”
Anyone with information about the dog or its owner should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
