An elderly Point Cook woman who was attacked by a wandering dog wants owners to ensure their pets can’t escape from their property.
Mia Legenhausen, 73, was attacked by a large dog while walking her daughter’s schnoodle, Voosha, along Palmers Avenue, Point Cook, about 2pm on March 17.
Mrs Legenhausen said the dog initially tried to play with Voosha. But when the schnoodle wouldn’t join in the fun, it clamped her body in its mouth.
Fearing that Voosha would be killed, Mrs Legenhausen tried to pull the dog off.
The dog then bit the middle finger on Mrs Legenhausen’s right hand, leaving her with a deep wound.
Passersby came to Mrs Legenhausen and Voosha’s rescue, with a neighbour taking them into her house while others caught the other dog and took it to a vet.
Voosha, who was cut and bruised, also received treatment. “It was a nightmare. I will never forget the look in Voosha’s eyes,” Mrs Legenhausen said.
“She was really, really scared, like she knew she was going to die.”
Mrs Legenhausen said the incident had left her “a bit scared”, but she was more concerned about what could have happened if her grandchildren, aged six and eight, had been walking Voosha.
Mrs Legenhausen reported the attack to Wyndham council.
“It was a beautiful dog but it was very dangerous and I wouldn’t like it to escape again. I don’t want to see the dog put down.
“I would like dog owners to make sure their dogs can’t get out, and to keep them on a lead when walking them.”
Council chief executive Kerry Thompson said the attack was being investigated.
