By Nicole Williams
Right: Steve shows off his stab wound to the media. 64284
A PEACEFUL dog walk became a nightmare for a Dandenong resident when his dog was stabbed by a cyclist on Monday morning.
Steve, 55, was walking his Australian bulldog, Hank, through Greaves Reserve at 9am when Hank approached the cyclist.
Steve said the man pulled out an old knife with a sharpened edge and stabbed Hank in the head, leaving a three centimetre wound.
“He said ‘get the dog away from me. I’ll stab him and I’ll stab you, too’,” Steve said.
The cyclist then slashed at Steve, leaving him with a wound to his left arm.
Detective Senior Constable Michael Vanhamond said the attack was unprovoked and a concern for police.
“They were about the throw the ball and give Hank a bit of exercise, just a joyful time, and Hank has run off after seeing another pedestrian in the area,” Sen Const Vanhamond said.
“It is concerning that people are out there with knives and especially riding a bike with a knife.”
When paramedics arrived, Steve was more concerned with Hank’s welfare than his own.
“Steve was so concerned when the paramedics turned up he wasn’t worried about himself, he was more worried about Hank and the paramedics put the bandages on Hank rather than himself,” Sen Const Vanhamond said.
Hank was left with a three centimetre by three centimetre wound to his head and was taken to Keysborough Veterinary Practice for treatment, with the help of Greater Dandenong Council workers.
The knife damaged the temporal muscle, or chewing muscle, but Sen Const Vanhamond said the dog is expected to make a full recovery.
Steve said Hank was a friendly 16 months old pup who didn’t have a violent bone in his body.
“He’s a beautiful dog and will walk up to everyone,” Steve said.
“I have a grandson and he’d be with him no worries.”
Sen Const Vanhamond said Hank would more likely lick a person than attack them.
“He’s such a placid dog and who would do this to a dog. It’s ridiculous,” he said.
Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit is investigating the attack.
“As the investigators, we would be appealing to anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers,” Sen Const Vanhamond said.
“We also encourage the gentleman to come forward and give his side of the story.”
They are looking for a man in his 50s with a grey beard and grey woolly hair riding a bicycle with a basket and chain on the front.
He was wearing a red, white and black flannelette shirt with black tracksuit pants, white runners and a red and white helmet.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Det Sen Const Vanhamond at Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit on 9767 7487 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
