Savage attack rattles owner

THE last thing any pet owner wants to see is their fluffy or furry friend viciously attacked by another animal.

Unfortunately one Emerald resident saw just that last Saturday when she was walking her eight-month-old chocolate labrador Kina at about 6.30pm.

The local, who preferred to remain anonymous, said she was terrified when her pup was attacked by a staffordshire terrier around Baker St.

“A dog came out of nowhere and attacked my chocolate lab, causing puncture wounds to his right front leg,” she said.

“I struggled to get this other dog off him, if I wasn’t screaming at the top of my lungs nobody would have heard to come and help.”

The woman said three people responded to her screams and helped her pull the other dog off Kina.

“I just want to let people know there are so many dogs in Emerald walking the streets,” she said.

“I started to really worry that he (Kina) was actually going to get killed. He was in shock.”

Since the attack, the woman has reported the incident to the compliance officer of the Animal Control Unit at the Central Highlands Regional Council.

“I’ve seen a number of dogs walking the streets in that area,” the woman said.

“I honestly think that people need to have a licence to keep a dog and if they are going to be blase about their responsibilities, they should give the dog away or give it to someone else.

“People take dog ownership lightly and really a dog is a 15-year commitment. Responsibility should be similar to having a child.”