Are children safe from dogs in our community?

We have just seen another dog attack.

Sydney pair in dog maul attack

*SMH March 16, 2009

Two people have been taken to hospital after being mauled by dogs in Sydney's south.

A 53-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman from Gymea were returning with their son to their parked car in Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell, about 3.55pm yesterday when they were attacked.

Do our governments (Council and State) need to review how dogs are let roam in our community?

It seems like every day there are more off leash areas, more dogs running free in our streets, more dog attacks.

It is the children who are most affected. Are they safe in our parks and on our streets?

It could easily have been a child.
We go to great lengths to protect children from most harm.
Predators, abusers, speeding drivers near schools, swimming pool fences, even photographers have considerable effort made to restrain them. Parents raise eyebrows if they give a cautionary smack.
But dog bites, attacks, even killing seems to be almost part of our culture.
And recent changes to our laws, their enforcement and the creation of off-leash zones seem to have made the situation worse.
Is no other Forum member prepared to comment on this?

[Snooks]

I am not sure what the solution is. I know that a few vicious breeds have been banned in Australia.

I suppose it is the owner's responsibility for keeping their dog inside their house and on a leash when they go out. If someone is attacked outside then perhaps charges can be brought against the owners if they acted irresponsible.

I know there is a beach in Melbourne that allows dogs to roam freely. I think it is a good idea. Maybe certain parks could be designated only for dogs, or special times set up, like in the early morning when there aren't likely to be children around.

[franfran]

A large number of these attacks occur at home or in friend’s homes and the dog is known to the injured person. All dogs are potentially dangerous, and young children are unpredictable in their behaviour towards animals and therefore should never be left alone or unsupervised around a dog, even a dog that is normally well-behaved. As for those "off leash" areas, dogs need exercise (otherwise they go a bit paranoid - and we don't want that!) but I'd like to see them more clearly signposted as such. I can think of a few parks that have a large part designated as an "off leash" area (the northern end of Camperdown Memorial Rest Park in Newtown is one that comes to mind), but depending on how you enter the park, you don't realise this until you see all the dogs running around.

When I was about five, I was attacked by a group of dogs that were just roaming the street (about three or four of them I think from memory), although fortunately I escaped with a few minor scratches and someone (not the owners I hasten to add) called the dogs off. I can't say that I've ever really liked dogs since...................

Just 1 week after the Piggott's family attack by the dogs
me and my 2 boys were the latest victim in same beach at kurnell.
Me and my 2 boys were going for a walk next thing a dog had run down from the sand hills and ran up to my 6yr son and had bitten him on his leg leaving deep puncture wounds and lacerations to his thigh which was tended to in hospital.
The attack was unprovoked me and my kids weren't even talking they were walking quietly, the dog could not of felt threated and if you saw how small my 6yr is you would think what the hell how could a dog do this.
But worst spokeswoman for local council issued out statement that they have assured public safety,
where was the safety when my kids and me were being attacked and bitten?
where were the signs that it was a leash free zone I'm not from the area how would i have known.
Why would you place a kids play ground 20m from the leash free zone what idiot thought of that idea when u think beach park you think children you don't think leash free zone.

ps: My boys love the beach and water we had talks about getting a pup for them this year now they are petrified of the beach and dogs big or small how can i help them through this? pls help post ur replies

Dog dead after vicious attack at Thalassa Park

A HIT-and-run dog attack at Thalassa Park earlier this month has left one pet dead, its owner searching for answers and Onkaparinga Council warning about the dangers of running dogs off-leash

Councils need to do way more to manage off leash dogs.

Smaller off leash areas with clear boundaries and more frequent and consistent enforcement would be a good start, along with ensuring that dogs on paths were on appropriate leashes.

As the story above makes very clear, dog owners are the ones who suffer most under the current arrangements.

Man hospitalised after dog attack

Wed May 20, 2009
Rangers have captured two german shepherds that attacked a 50-year-old man at Lidcombe in Sydney's west this morning.

And another similar report.

Savage dog attack

03 Sep 08
A MAN has been left with a scarred face after being viciously attacked by a pit bull terrier at the children’s playground in Meadowbank Park last Wednesday

The statistics make scary reading. It is particularly interesting to compare the number of reported attacks with the number of registered dogs in the Sydney City Council entry.

First quarter 2009
Council Reports of Dog attacks in NSW - July 2004 to June 2005

These reports are only of those attacks on people that involved medical attention or death.
There is no detail about how many of these attacks involve children or the elderly.

my 4yr old son was attacked by a friends dog which is a staffy he almost mauled his face.my son came out of the ordeal with 2 puncture wounds to his forehead,a deep scratch right under his eye and a bite wound to the back of his head.the owners are friends of mine and my husbands and were very distraught and have said they are going to put the dog down i just want some advice if the owners dont put the dog down what and how do i go about getting the dog put down??? as he just attacked my son out of no where and then tried attacking his own male owner. would appreciate any help i can get

jo0316

they really need to act and put more rangers out there as for the amount of dogs that or just walking around town and all that there needs to be some thing done about it fast . as for my mother who lives in a small town in the snowy mountains shes allways complaining about dogs in her front yard all the time and shes getting sick and tied of it


we need more work done about this and want it done asap

[Snooks]

So, i see there was another attack on Sunday evening in Lidcombe.

Whats worse is that not only was the 2yr old girl attacked in a park by a dog, not only was she mauled in the face and needed plastic surgery, but the female owner of the dog left the scene, took the dog and failed to render any assistance.

I heard today that an adult Female ages 36 was charged, the Police are still looking for the dog as she claims to have given it away.

I hope she goes down bigtime