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Gold Coast family devastated after puppy mauled to death at dog park

A family in Queensland were heartbroken after their five-month-old puppy was mauled by another dog at an off-leash park.

Five-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Honey, was attacked by another dog at an off-leash area at Hinterland Regional Park.

Her owner Ashleigh McDonald told 7News that Honey suffered extensive injuries. Her lungs were punctured and her chest was crushed.

By the time Ms McDonald arrived at the emergency vet clinic, Honey stopped breathing.

The five-month-old puppy had been living with the McDonald family, while she was being trained to work at an aged care facility.

Ashleigh said Ms McDonald was always affectionate and brought a smile to everyone's face.

Pictured is five-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, Honey, was mauled at a park in Queensland. She died in the vet's driveway. Source: 7News
Five-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Honey, was mauled at a park in Queensland. She died in the vet's driveway. Source: 7News

Dog attack was 'very confronting'

Ashleigh's father, Michael McDonald, told the Courier Mail she and Honey were at the park practising the dog's recall.

When they arrived, it was completely empty, so Ashleigh was comfortable with Honey being off-lead.

When another person came to the fenced-off area with their dog, Ashleigh felt uncomfortable and tried to pick Honey up.

The other dog owner reassured her their dog was okay. However, the other dog eventually bit Honey, resulting in her devastating injuries.

Pictured is Sharon, left, and Ashleigh McDonald, right, who was caring for Honey, the five-month-old puppy who was killed at a park.
Sharon, left, and Ashleigh McDonald are devastated by the fatal attack on their puppy Honey. Source: 7News

“The owners were saying that they were sure Honey was okay and not really injured, but she clearly was so Ashleigh called her mother and they went to the emergency vet but Honey died as they pulled into the driveway,” Mr McDonald said.

“To go through that must’ve been very confronting.”

The family wasn't just crying, but were "screaming in pain", Mr McDonald told 7News, adding something like this is not an event he wishes anyone else to go through.

Gold Coast City Council confirmed to 7News it is investigating the incident. The other dog or owner has not been identified.

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