GLENLOGAN Lakes Park resident Beverly Bass cannot bring herself to touch the possessions of her beloved pet dog Sweetie after she was killed by another dog.
Ms Bass was walking her one-year-old shihtzu-poodle cross at St Jude Circuit on January 28 at 6am when they were confronted by an aggressive staffordshire bull terrier (staffy).
“I went to pick Sweetie up and it just came straight across. It was determined to get Sweetie. It was not interested in me,” Ms Bass said.
“It just came straight around from behind and Sweetie screamed.”
The attack was all over in less than 60 seconds and after desperately rushing Sweetie to a vet at Underwood on Sunday morning, it was clear not much could be done.
“The vet said we could amputate the paw but she had puncture wounds in her chest...she was bleeding internally,” Ms Bass said.
“It would have cost $5000 to find out how she was without doing anything else. I have watched three people in my family die a slow and lingering death and I always say if I have a dog that is hurt I would put it down because I couldn’t stand to watch it suffer.
“I haven’t touched any of her stuff. I have cupboards full of stuff which is hers and I can’t see myself getting another dog. I couldn’t go through that again.”
Described as “a little bugger at times”, Sweetie was an energetic dog full of life and character who was starting to make significant behavioral progress.
“I only just got her through all her training and only just said a couple of days before (the attack) happened isn’t she just lovely, beautiful and perfect,” Ms Bass said.
“She wasn’t a cheap dog, she cost $2000. When I was looking to get a dog she climbed all over her brothers and sisters and said take me.”
In light of Sweetie’s death, Ms Bass wanted to get a message across to other dog owners to make sure they took every possible step to keep their dogs secure.
“What I would like to see is people getting fined for their big dogs getting out and roaming the area,’ she said.
“I am a dog lover. I don’t hate big dogs but people have to be responsible when it comes to keeping them in their yards.”
According to Logan City Council, penalties for failing to keep a dog under effective control can result in a fine between $252.30 and $630.75.
Repeated failures to secure a dog can lead to the issuing of a compliance notice, with the penalty for failing to comply coming at a cost of $883.05 or for the offending animal to be seized from the property.
Cr Jennie Breene said there had been two reported animal incidents in the Glenlogan area in January.
“Always be vigilant of your surroundings, as semi-rural locations like Glenlogan may have visiting dogs, wildlife or livestock that could cause uncertainty to a small dog,” Cr Breene said.
“No dog should be walked without a leash. Apart from it being a legal requirement in public places, walking without a leash would allow your dog to run away if scared or frightened.”
