INVESTIGATIONS are under way into a dog attack which left a Mandurah woman in Royal Perth Hospital.
The 26-year-old woman was walking her Boston Terrier near Gamol Place in Mandurah when two dogs approached her about 5.45pm on Monday night.
According to City of Mandurah chief Mark Newman, the dogs had escaped from their yard.
“It is alleged two dogs from the same household escaped from their yard and attacked another dog which was being walked,” he said.
The offending dogs, a Staffy X and a Mastiff X, attacked the woman’s dog and in an effort to save her pet, the woman tried to break up the attack.
She sustained injuries to her hand and finger and is currently in Royal Perth Hospital after undergoing surgery.
According to reports, the woman’s Boston Terrier was wounded in the attack and is awaiting surgery at a veterinarians.
Mr Newman said the offending dogs had since been seized.
“The offending dogs have been seized, one is at the vets awaiting surgery and one is at the City pound,” he said.
Mr Newman did not say whether or not the dogs would be destroyed.
“They will not be released until it is considered safe to do so,” he said.
The incident comes as the State Government made amendments to the Dog Act 1976 through the Dog Amendment Bill 2012 in State Parliament yesterday.
The Bill introduces amendments to improve community safety through increased controls over dangerous dogs (including restricted breeds), and higher penalties encouraging more responsible dog ownership.
The amendments also aim to enable nuisance dogs, including nuisance barking dogs, to be more effectively dealt with while compulsory micro-chipping and extending impounding time from three to seven days for dogs where owners can be identified will also be changed.
The Minister said recent incidents, particularly those involving children, had understandably fuelled community concerns about dogs and the few irresponsible owners.
“There is widespread and extensive support for the proposed amendments and this Bill will enhance responsible dog ownership and increase community safety,” Local Minister John Castrilli said.
Mr Newman said City of Mandurah rangers had been in contact with the woman’s family and had also been in contact with the dog’s owners.
Mr Newman said the incident should serve as a reminder for all dog owners.
“Dog owners are reminded that dogs should be secured in their yards when home and on leash when being walked in city streets and parks.”