Dog stabber

By Nicole Williams
POLICE have released a picture of the man they believe was involved in a stabbing attack on Hank the Australian bulldog in Dandenong last week.
Both Hank and his owner Steve are recovering from the ordeal and are appealing for the public’s help in catching the man.
Steve was walking Hank in Greaves Reserve around 9am last Monday when he let the 16-month-old dog off the lead to catch a tennis ball.
Hank approached a man on a bicycle who pulled out a knife and stabbed the dog in the head and then took a swipe at Steve, leaving him with a wound on his arm.
Police released a CCTV photograph which shows the man riding in the park on the day of the attack.
They are looking for a man aged in his fifties 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.
Detective Senior Constable Michael Vanhamond said the attack was concerning to police both in its nature and in that people were carrying knives, especially while riding a bike.
“As the investigators, we would be appealing anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers,” Det Sen Const Vanhamond said.
“We also encourage the gentleman to come forward and give his side of the story.”
As the pair recover, the public have rallied behind Steve to help cover the veterinary bills.
Det Sen Const Vanhamond said Steve was struggling to pay the $780 bill and the public responded to the call.
A Facebook group has been set up called ‘Help Hank the Aussie Bulldog’, which is gathering donations from the community to be paid directly to the Keysborough Vet Practice.
For more information or to donate, search ‘Help Hank the Aussie Bulldog’ on Facebook.
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.