On Oct. 11 in Townsville, North Queensland, a dog, believed to be a large pitbull cross, severed the arm of its owner, a woman in her thirties, in a vicious attack.
Previous complaints of aggressive behaviour had been made about the dog as it had attacked several weeks before.
Police found the woman nursing her severed arm and bleeding heavily after barricading the aggressive dog inside her residence.
Officers applied a tourniquet to the woman before paramedics arrived and her detached arm was later found in the hopes of reattaching it. She was taken to Townsville University Hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition.
Senior Sergeant Scott Warrick told reporters that in his 37-year career, this woman’s severed arm was one of the most significant injuries from an animal he had seen.
“The injuries to this lady are just absolutely awful and we wish her a speedy recovery,” Sergeant Warrick said.
While police attempted to subdue the dog, it continued to be aggressive. It was euthanised at the scene.
“I have dogs, and to see an outcome like this is absolutely heartbreaking, and we do understand people will be upset,” Warrick said.
He said police had no other choice, adding that the dog was euthanised as humanely as possible.
The woman who suffered the attack owned another smaller dog who is now in the care of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Recently introduced laws stipulate that the owner of a dog that kills or seriously injures a person can be fined over $100,000 (US$67,000) or face three years imprisonment.
Recent Melbourne Dog Attack
It came a day after another dog attack in Melbourne, where three dogs mauled their owner.Similarly, several complaints and concerns had been made about the dogs before the assault. The owner was hospitalised and was in critical condition on Oct. 11.
Police first attempted to save the woman from her dogs using pepper spray before delivering fatal shots.
Greater Dandenong City Council Chief Executive Jacqui Weatherill said in a statement that the council is distressed about the incident and remains concerned for her welfare.
“We have previously taken action in response to those concerns and visited the property,” she said.
