By AIDAN KNIGHT

 

A MERE nine days after the Express published an article concerning a Morwell man being bitten by a dog in Manny’s Market, a second victim of a similar incident has come forward, with the third reported animal incident of the month (counting the roaming dingoes story also reported in the July 9 issue).

A Traralgon resident, who is vision impaired, claims he was attacked by a pit bull terrier while walking with his assistance dog.

The incident occurred around 11.20am on Sunday, July 13.

It is alleged the offending animal escaped from a fenced front yard on Miles Street, Traralgon, where the man and his seeing eye dog were completing their regular walk.

“The attacking dog grabbed my dog around the neck,” the man, who wished to remain anonymous told the Express.

While there was allegedly no bleeding on the companion’s account, “the attack was forceful and extremely distressing”, both to the dog and it’s owner.

“My dog is an accredited seeing eye dog providing essential assistance for my independence and safety,” the man continued, underscoring the significant impact it would have on him not just emotionally but in his ability to function overall if his dog was more seriously harmed – or worse, and that everyone should be able to walk a suburban street without fear for their safety.

The incident was witnessed by a neighbour of the offending dog’s property on Miles St, who came out to console the victim after the attack.

The occupant of the property also emerged quickly to attempt to remove his dog from the victim’s seeing eye dog, which he succeeded in after some time, but after much distress was caused, which the victim says escalated to a state of panic attack, and rapid breathing.

“They had to physically kick and hit their dog to get it to release my dog’s neck”, he told the Express.

Latrobe City Council Rangers later attended the address and impounded the offending animal, which was revealed to belong to a friend of the occupant, who was at the time “dogsitting” it, and relinquished the dog amicably, described by the ranger as “shocked and cooperative”.

The victim did not receive any further details about the owner of the dog, although he alleges the council ranger was later faced with hostile and aggressive behaviour by the actual owner when they later appeared at council offices demanding their pet be released.

According to the victim, council informed him that the owner said he “did not care” that their animal had attacked a seeing-eye dog, and proceeded to get more aggressive when council refused to relinquish the animal.

This is the second time the same resident has been made a victim to an attack on his companion animal by another unrestrained dog, after a similar incident occurred in May 2024.

Seeing Eye Dogs Client Services Manager, Lester Chraim spoke to the Express on the particular issue.

“For our handlers, their seeing eye supports their independence and activities in the community and it is always extremely distressing to hear of a Seeing Eye Dog and their handler being attacked by another dog,” he said.

“Beyond the significant investment of time and money that goes into training a Seeing Eye Dog, an attack can have enormously detrimental impact on the handler’s and Seeing Eye Dog’s wellbeing.

“Even if there are no injuries, an attack can significantly reduce the confidence of both the handler and Seeing Eye Dog to feel safe in the community and quickly take away their confidence to travel as needed.

“All dog owners should take their responsibility seriously and ensure their dogs are kept securely at all times. Vision Australia would expect councils and other authorities to treat an attack on a Seeing Eye Dog as a serious matter and take any action necessary to keep assistance animals, their handlers and the wider community safe.”

Under Victoria’s Domestic Animals Act 1994, councils have the authority to declare a dog dangerous, seize it, and issue penalties or orders to owners who fail to secure animals that have attacked.

Despite these powers, locals say Latrobe City Council’s follow-through has been lacking, with multiple reports of repeat offenders and no public confirmation of enforcement action taken.

The victim of the July 13 attack is asking council to stand their ground on the power they hold under the act, to ensure the safety of residents.

“I would like to formally request that this dog not be returned to the owner,” he said.

“As a handler, I am genuinely afraid that this could happen again, not only to me but potentially to a child or another dog. It does not make sense to release a dangerous dog back into the care of someone who, when approached, was openly hostile and demonstrated no responsibility for what occurred.

“If the owner is not willing to take responsibility now, there is no reason to expect he will act differently in the future.”

Combined with other episodes, there is growing concern more decisive and visible action is needed.