By CASEY NEILL
NAURMA Dawson thought her tiny pooch Suzi was done for when a dog roaming the streets grabbed her throat in its jaws and pinned her to the ground.
“I couldn’t breathe, I’d panicked,” the Dandenong North woman told The Journal.
“I rushed forward to grab the dog but fell over, grazing my elbow, knee and fingers and hitting my head.”
She feared her arthritis would stop her getting back to her feet.
“It could have been worse, I could have broken my hip,” she said.
“From the yelping and growling I was sure Suzi would be killed. I struggled to get up.”
But the 68-year-old’s desperate calls for help brought two men to her aid.
“Together they forced the dog away from Suzi,” she said.
“The dog then tried to chase my other dog, Bonnie, but the men chased it out of the driveway.
“I hate to think what might have happened had those two wonderful neighbours not been quick to act when this could have been dangerous for them also.”
The incident happened on Ms Dawson’s regular walk with her three dogs near Apex Street and First Avenue, about 4.30pm on 24 September.
She’d spotted the wandering dog and sought refuge in a front yard to keep her dogs safe.
“They don’t even know how to fight, they’re little lapdogs,” she said.
“But it saw us and tore across the road and straight away attacked one of my little dogs.”
A City of Greater Dandenong ranger attended and impounded the dog.
“The council rangers do a great job but they cannot be everywhere all the time,” Ms Dawson said.
“There are so many reports of loose dogs in the neighbourhood.
“Maybe it needs a reminder to people that there are far-reaching implications.
“There are far too many people who don’t obey the simple rules of keeping control of their dogs.
“We are not the first victims and we won’t be the last.”
A City of Greater Dandenong spokeswoman said the council collected more than 500 wandering dogs each year.
Owners are required to securely confine their dogs to their property, meaning the yard must have a closed gate and a fence the dog cannot jump over or get under or through.
They can be fined up to $2000 or prosecuted for not meeting these requirements even if the dog doesn’t escape the property.
Dogs must be under effective control, by a leash, chain or cord, in public areas at all times.
Failing to do so can also attract a fine or prosecution.
The council encourages residents to call immediately if they find a dog at large so a ranger can collect the animal.
