Dog Attack Results in Australian Woman’s Arm Being Severed
Outside of her Queensland residence, police discovered a woman bleeding heavily.
On Oct. 11 in Townsville, North Queensland, a dog, suspected to be a large pitbull cross, brutally attacked its owner— a woman in her thirties—severing her arm.
Previous reports had been made about the dog’s aggressive behavior, as it had attacked weeks prior.
The woman was found by police, tending to her severed arm and bleeding profusely after locking the aggressive dog inside her home.
Officers applied a tourniquet to her before paramedics arrived, and her detached arm was located for potential reattachment. She was transported to Townsville University Hospital and remains in a serious but stable state.
Senior Sergeant Scott Warrick stated that in his 37-year career, this woman’s arm injury from an animal was one of the most severe he had encountered.
“The injuries sustained by this woman are horrific, and we wish her a quick recovery,” Sergeant Warrick expressed.
During the attempt to control the dog, it remained aggressive and was ultimately euthanised by police at the scene.
“I own dogs myself, and witnessing this outcome is heartbreaking. We understand that people will be upset,” Warrick mentioned.
He clarified that the decision to euthanise the dog was made due to the circumstances, emphasizing that it was carried out as humanely as possible.
The woman who was attacked also owned a smaller dog, which is currently under the care of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Newly enacted laws state that a dog owner responsible for a fatal or severe injury caused by their dog can face fines exceeding $100,000 or up to three years in prison.
However, Warrick noted that the woman was unlikely to face charges due to the severity of her injuries.
Recent Melbourne Dog Attack
The incident occurred a day after another dog attack in Melbourne, where an owner was mauled by three dogs.
Similar to the Townsville case, concerns and complaints had been raised about the dogs prior to the attack. The owner was hospitalized and in critical condition on Oct. 11.
Police initially used pepper spray to try and save the woman from her dogs before resorting to lethal force.
Chief Executive Jacqui Weatherill of the Greater Dandenong City Council expressed distress over the incident in a statement, emphasizing ongoing concerns for the woman’s well-being.