By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A EUMEMMERRING man has vowed never to venture “anywhere near” Doveton again after he and his dog were viciously attacked by an un-collared pitbull in Waratah Reserve.
Mark, who didn’t want his surname published, said he was terrified when a pitbull attacked and bit his brother’s boxer cross Staffordshire terrier, Buddy, on Saturday morning and is warning residents to be on the lookout for the animal.
“It’s the most terrifying moment I’ve experienced,” he said.
“I don’t want it to happen again.”
Mark, who takes care of Buddy on the weekends and regularly walks him at Waratah Reserve, said he heard the pitbull before he saw it.
“I was walking the outline of the soccer oval where the fence follows the stormwater drain,” he said
“As I passed the park area I heard the dog but I kept walking and when I turned around I saw this thing heading towards us, about 30 metres away.
“Most dogs usually stop about 10 metres away but this one didn’t stop.”
The pitbull jumped at Buddy and started attacking him despite Mark’s best efforts to deter the other animal.
“I jumped in front of the pitbull and it came towards us to get at Buddy,” Mark said.
“If he’s attacking my dog, then he’s attacking me.”
Mark, who is 110 kilograms, said he then started punching and kicking the animal but it could not be stopped.
“I’ve boxed before but after two minutes of fighting this animal I was stuffed,” he said.
“I was feeling hopeless. I’ve never felt hopeless before.”
Mark had to let go of Buddy’s lead before two residents from neighbouring houses heard the commotion and came out to help. One had a shovel while his neighbour picked up a massive branch and managed to force the animal to stop attacking Buddy, after which it fled.
Buddy suffered from a scratch to his shoulder blades and bite marks and lacerations in his cheek following the attack.
Mark has since contacted Dandenong Police and Casey Council and warned locals to be wary of Waratah Reserve.
“People have to be careful if they’re walking around Waratah, it’s so remote,” he said.
“If something does happen to you, you have no chance. I was just lucky I had people there.”
Casey Manager Community Safety Caroline Bell said a council officer had visited Waratah Reserve after Mark’s sighting of the pitbull but had been unable to locate the animal.
“Council has been in contact with the victim and is investigating the matter, however council is unable to identify where the offending dog may have originated from,” she said.
“Council is appealing to residents to come forward if they witnessed the incident and to assist council in identifying the offending dog.”
According to the Domestic Animals Act it is an offence for any animal to attack another animal and all animals need to be under effective control at all times.
Reports can be made to the City of Casey on 9705 5200.
