Family ‘set upon’ by dogs

By CASEY NEILL

A SPRINGVALE man, 38, ordered his two dogs to attack a couple after he knocked them to the ground, police allege.
Greater Dandenong CIU Detective Acting Sergeant Luke Kirton said a woman, 58, was walking her dog in Buckingham Avenue, Springvale, about 11pm on 24 November when two dogs attacked the pet.
She took the injured dog back to her nearby residence and her son, 26, returned to the scene with her husband, 61, to get the other dog owner’s details.
The dog owner is alleged to have assaulted the son and punched the father in the head repeatedly when he went to his aid.
The offender allegedly knocked the woman to the ground when she returned then encouraged his dogs to attack her and her husband.
She suffered facial injuries and her husband suffered a serious laceration to his right leg. Ambulances took both to Dandenong Hospital where they had surgery.
The son was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Officers arrested the man the following morning. He was remanded in custody and will reappear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 6 December to answer charges of intentionally causing serious injury and other assault-related offences.
Rangers impounded the dogs but City of Greater Dandenong could not confirm their fate.