Residents of a rural area north of Broome are warning others to be vigilant after a series of dog attacks on the tourist town’s northern fringes.
Key points:
- Residents say the dogs resemble dingoes
- Sightings have increased on properties and walking tracks
- Shire rangers say wild dogs are a Primary Industries responsibility
They have described a pack of wild dogs — resembling dingoes — mauling three pet dogs, stalking horse riders, chasing a cyclist and killing chooks around Lullfitz Drive and Sands Street.
Jen Stevenson’s dog was badly bitten in the early hours of Sunday morning.
She was woken by her horses growing alarmed when her largest dog burst outside through the flyscreen door.
“My dog was so heightened and disturbed by whatever he could smell. He’s just taken off. I’ve never seen him like that before,” Ms Stevenson said.
“All I could hear was a huge dogfight on the lawn … a whole lot of dog fighting and yelping. I saw three dogs.”
Her 40-kilo dog suffered a deep wound on his rump.
“You can see where the teeth marks have been,” she said.
Locals say wild dog sightings increasing
Ms Stevenson, who has lived on her bush property for a decade, said sightings of the wild dogs had increased in the past six months.
Another dog owner, who has lived on Lullfitz Drive for 13 years, said her pet was attacked by a similar pack at their home in June.
“He was mauled in a very savage and sustained attack,” Marg Opperman said of her elderly dog, Doc.
“We all need to be on the lookout to protect our pets and small children.”
The area, which is surrounded by a conservation reserve and crown land, has had dog problems in previous years.
One of Ms Stevenson’s dogs was killed five years ago in a similar attack to the one this week.
“It was horrific. She was ripped in half,” she said.
She said the dogs were now brazen enough to come onto verandahs.
“All the residents are quite concerned. They’re getting closer and closer.”
The Shire of Broome says it has no jurisdiction over wild dogs, only domestic animals.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been contacted for comment.
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