Woman hospitalised after horror dog attack
A woman has been rushed to hospital with a “significant leg injury” following a terrifying dog attack at a popular northern Queensland beach area.
Paramedics were called to the suburb of Bushland Beach in Townsville about 6pm on Thursday following reports a woman was bitten on private property.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson said the woman, believed to be in her 50s, was rushed to Townsville Hospital in a stable condition.
While the breed of the dog is not yet known, the attack is likely to continue to reignite debate in the Sunshine State about dangerous dogs.
The state government is considering a Bill to ban five breeds considered dangerous, including pit bull terriers and brazilian mastiffs.
The laws would also strengthen punishments for owners of dangerous dogs involved in attacks, including potential jail time if convicted.
In May, the Townsville Council issued a statement after a declared dangerous dog was found roaming the northeastern Queensland town.
“The owner was previously prosecuted after an incident involving the dog in which one dog was killed and another injured,” the council said.
“A witness to the attack provided a statement, including: ‘I saw the dogs in my property (...) then I heard a dog screaming in pain’.”
The council said the dog’s owner was found guilty and convicted in court of failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack.
In August, another terrifying incident resulted in a woman being attacked by three dogs at a park in Ipswich in the state’s southeast.
A woman was also pulled from her wheelchair and her ear was ripped off in a dog attack on Palm Island, near Townsville, the same month.
