Despite Local Government statistics indicating there was only one reported dog attack in Griffith last year, speaking to those in the know paints a radically different picture.
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The Area News chatted to a surgeon, a veterinarian clinic, a dog attack victim and Griffith City Council to highlight the ramifications and seriousness of dog attacks in our city.
Man could've lost an arm
Early in December last year, an MIA farmer was going about his business on his property when a dog came up and bit his arm.
Not thinking too much of it, he took himself to the hospital expecting a quick clean and a tetanus shot.
What resulted was five surgeries over 10 days at Griffith Base Hospital.
Undergoing surgery on the first day to clean the wound, the next day he was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome.
Swelling from the pierced muscle blocked blood-flow to his arm and hand. He says if he hasn't been in hospital he could have lost his arm completely.
It turned pretty serious - if I wasn't at hospital I don't know what would've happened.
- MIA farmer
"It turned pretty serious - if I wasn't at hospital I don't know what would've happened," he said.
Almost three months later, he still has some pain, numbness, and weakness in his arm.
As a farmer, it has significantly impacted his work.
He said thanks to the excellent care from Dr Fitzgerald, her team, and the hospital staff, he should be functioning at full strength in the near future.
"You just have to be careful if you are bitten - don't take it lightly as it can turn nasty," he said.
Life-changing, random, and unprovoked
Dr Kate Fitzgerald works as a surgeon at Griffith Base Hospital, and has operated on two dog attack victims in three months.
The resulting injuries have had lasting impacts on her patients' health and psychological welfare.
"For them these random, unprovoked attacks have been life-changing," she said.
Griffith Base Hospital records indicate that from January to December 2019, there were 80 dog bites presenting to hospital, with eight per cent of those requiring admission.
While their notes don't go so far as to establish whether or not these bites were from a pet or a strange dog, she said more needed to be done to raise awareness.
Having 80 cases of one particular kind of injury is a cause for concern.
- Dr Kate Fitzgerald
"Having 80 cases of one particular kind of injury is a cause for concern," she explained.
"While this number may not be significant in comparison to the population here, if there were this many cases of kids mildly injured by their parents backing out, there would be, and has been, huge campaigns to raise awareness.
"From a healthcare perspective, even what appears to be a simple dog bite can end up requiring extensive treatment and on occasion requires surgery to deal with infected or damaged tissue."
Looking at the disparity between hospital records and the reported number of attacks in the Griffith local government area, Dr Fitzgerald strongly urges anyone who has been bitten or attacked by a dog to report it to the council, whether or not the dog is still around.
Bite injuries occur weekly
Dr Kim Martel and Dr Jessica Sullivan from Yoogali Veterinary Centre say on a weekly basis, they see numerous animals injured from dog attacks.
The injuries come from attacks not just from known dogs, but from unknown animals as well coming from activities like dog-walking.
Just like human injuries, they urge owners to bring their pets in straight away for a check-up after a bite, as what can appear as a minor or superficial injury can have severe impacts.
"They can be minor injuries we treat with antibiotics to stop infections and abysses, but we have had to do major surgeries as well," Dr Martel explained.
They can be minor injuries we treat with antibiotics to stop infections and abysses, but we have had to do major surgeries as well.
- Dr Kim Martel
"A small puncture wound can penetrate into the muscle which can have serious consequences."
The pair say there hasn't been an increase in the number of lost or stray dogs brought to them by concerned residents recently, but this is a frequent occurrence for the centre.
"We really urge people to keep their contact information up to date, because if not, we can't track them down to return their pet," Dr Sullivan said.
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Dr Sullivan said social media had been a useful tool for them for find the owners of dogs who look well-cared for, but haven't been micro-chipped.
While council can order an animal be put down, the vets say owners come in through their own volition to euthanise a dog after a bite or attack.
"It is sad, but it is usually the best thing to do," she said. The vets say socialisation in the early months of a puppy's life can prevent this behaviour.
Owners face harsh penalties
Since July last year, council and police have investigated 22 dog attacks.
Council's sustainable development director Phil Harding said there was a zero-tolerance policy towards wandering animals.
"If a dog escapes from its yard or runs off, any damage or harm it causes is the owner's responsibility," he said.
"Dog owners are liable if their dog attacks a person or another animal.
Measures need to be taken to ensure yards, fences and gates are secure at all times."
Under the Companion Animals Amendment Act 2013 council or police can declare a dog 'dangerous' or 'menacing' if they attack or threaten a person or animal.
If an attack occurs as a result of a reckless act or omissions by owners, courts can give a maximum penalty of $22,000 or five years in jail can be enforced.
The punishment only increased if the dog has already been deemed 'dangerous', 'menacing' or 'restricted'.