Dogs attacked in backyard

An Albany family whose two dogs were mauled to death in their own backyard by another dog wants its owners to be held responsible.

Janet Williams arrived home last Tuesday afternoon to find 15-year-old Maltese-shih tzu Archie and 11-year-old shih tzu Murphy savaged at her Orana home.

Murphy was taken to the vet for emergency surgery after being found in a pool of blood, but died five hours later, while Archie died at the scene in their fully fenced backyard.

Ms Williams said she returned home from a family lunch to find their beloved dogs attacked, she suspected by a pair of dogs.

“You don’t expect this,” she said.

“I just picked them up and put them in the car and off to the vet, it was pretty horrific. Three days later I was still not sleeping. It has destroyed the family.

“When they grow old, that’s different, you expect that, but to die so violently, it’s disturbing.

“I’m sure someone must have heard something.”

Ms Williams’ brother Paul said the mauling of his family’s dog Archie had left them devastated.

“What’s more concerning to all of us is that these dogs came into the yard,” he said.

“There are elderly people in this street and small children. The consequences could be worse.”

A City of Albany spokesman confirmed an investigation into the attack was under way, but was being hampered by a lack of witnesses.

City rangers have investigated 83 reports of dog attacks in the past 12 months.

Under the Dog Act, attacks include behaviour such as aggressively rushing at a person or animal, and not all dog attacks result in physical injury.

Mr Williams said the attack should act as a grim reminder to dog owners.

“People need to be responsible for their actions,” he said.

“It has devastated our family. These dogs have been in our family for a long time.”

Anyone with information, should contact the City ranger team on 9841 9349.