On Monday June 13 Nadine Handford’s mother was 20 metres from her home in Yass when she was set upon by two large dogs.

“I was at home at the time and I heard screaming,” Ms Handford said. “I ran out the door and saw my mother only a few metres away, surrounded by dogs.”

Nadine’s mother Valerie was walking the family's two Chihuahua dogs, Snowy and Kimba, both on leads.

“When I came running down, Snowy was in the mouth of one of the large dogs,” she said. “A neighbour came out to help and we were able to get Snowy away from the dog and they both started on Kimba.”

Kimba received a bite to his back and Valerie received a bite to her hand. Valerie had to go to the hospital for a tetanus shot while Snowy and Kimba were taken to the vet.

Kimba received stitches to his back. Snowy’s injuries were deemed too severe and had to be euthanised.

“I’m devastated, it’s like losing a part of the family,” Ms Handford said. “While my mother was hurt, it is lucky that it wasn’t my six-year-old, Rhys, walking the dog that day, like he usually does.”

The attack on the Handford pets is one of 50 reported dog attacks this year, and one of nine incidents this month, doubling the monthly average.

Ranger Sarah Barnes said that majority of call outs she receives relate to roaming or barking dogs and a smaller number to dog attacks.  

“There is a pattern in these incidents and it’s linked to the weather,” she said. “We find that during extreme conditions, like what we’re seeing now, when it’s very cold and wet there are higher numbers of dog attacks. We link this to the animals not being exercised and the dogs being bored.”

“This is also true of January and December, when people are on holidays, they tend to spend less time with their dogs.”

While being interviewed by the Tribune, Sarah Barnes and her colleague Mark Livermore were called out to another dog attack.  

“The numbers are really growing lately, and the frustrating thing is that there isn’t much we can do to protect the animals after the fact. What we would like to do is to be involved before a minor dog issue becomes a serious problem. People in the community need to tell us early on if there is habitual escapee in their street or, even better, if the dog owners called us for advice.

“I would much rather come out and discuss dog containment with a proactive owner then to be dealing with the aftermath of an attack.” 

The three main contributors to roaming or attacking dogs is boredom, poor breed selection for the owner's lifestyle and insufficient fences or enclosures to keep the dogs enclosed.  

“One of the main problems is rural residential fencing. Owners may think they are enough to keep their dogs in but with enough motivation any dog, big or small, can get out of the standard rural residential fencing.”

“As a responsible dog owner, people have to look at the right sort of dog to suit their lifestyle. Think about the space you have and whether you are away from the house all day, what needs these dogs have. At the end of the day, they are your responsibility.”

There are a number of online breed selector quizzes designed to help people decide what dog breed would suit their lifestyle. The quiz ask questions about exercise, yard size, and a variety of others to help narrow down the type of breed right for individuals. 

“Dog attacks on stock cost stock owners a lot of money, often result in stock deaths and are distressing to all involved,” she continued. “What this means to dog owners is that if your dog enters farmland and approaches any animal farmed on that property and the farmer believes they might attack they can be shot and killed. 

Whilst Council staff will work with the community to prevent dogs roaming, if a dog is caught attacking a person or animal it may be declared a Dangerous Dog. 

There are substantial fines for dogs attacking, in excess of $500,and very heavy costs to owning a declared Dangerous Dog. Yass Valley Council take all dog attacks seriously and urge residents to report all incursions onto your property. As the owner of a dog that has attacked are also financially liable for all costs. 

“Yass recently opened a fenced off leash park and taking your dog to the park is a great way for dogs and their owners to socialise,” Ranger Barnes said. “The fenced park allows the dogs to burn off that excess energy and relieves boredom.  It is also a great way to meet other members of our ‘dog’ community in the Yass Valley”