The Aussie town where roaming dogs attack locals every TWO days as the latest victim, 22, is flown to hospital after being pounced on by a pack of three aggressive animals
- Outraged mayor said dog owners must be more responsible
- One woman had to be flown to hospital with dog bite injuries
An outraged local mayor has demanded pet owners in his town be more responsible as residents fear walking outside due to roaming packs of aggressive dogs.
There have already been 19 dog bites in Yarrabah, a community of 2,500 people in far north Queensland, this year – an average of about one attack every two days.
The attacks are so severe that emergency services have been forced to airlift a number of people to hospital.
The latest attack earlier this week saw a 22-year-old woman flown to Cairns Hospital for treatment after she was mauled by three dogs and left with serious injuries.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Service said 53 people presented with dog bite injuries to the Yarrabah Emergency Department in 2022, which was 10 fewer than the 63 locals attacked in 2021.
Based on the figures for the first five weeks of 2023, the number of reported dog bites could top 200 this year.
A young woman was so severely injured in an attack by three dogs in Yarrabah (pictured) she had to be flown to hospital
A dog is pictured lying on the street with no owner near it in the far north Queensland town of Yarrabah
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Mayor Ross Andrews said the area’s animal management team and Queensland Police officers seized the dogs for impoundment.
Mr Andrews condemned people who allowed aggressive dogs to wander around the town, saying locals should not have to fear going out for a walk.
The shire has an agreement with Cairns Regional Council (CRC) to impound dangerous dogs if they need to be taken out of the community.
‘Dogs have been seized for a period of 14 days by the Yarrabah Dog Pound, but they will in fact be held at the Cairns Council pound,’ he told the Cairns Post.
He said Yarrabah locals would at times break into the local pound to try to get their aggressive dogs back.
Mr Andrews said he was ‘very seriously concerned’ that many dog owners were not taking full responsibility for their animals.
He said a large number of dogs – some of which are very aggressive – continue to roam free in the area and town clinics regularly treat patients for animal bites.
The mayor said being able to go for a walk in peace, without fear of being bitten by dogs, was important the health of the population.
‘In a community where diabetes is an issue, the ability to regularly and safely exercise is essential in the treatment of diabetes.
‘The free roaming of dogs has a direct impact, not only upon the social and emotional health but also physical health of our community,’ he said.
The Australian Companion Animal Council estimates that more than 100,000 people in Australia are bitten by dogs each year. Pictured is a dog on grass
