TRAUMATISED dog owners are petitioning the City of Stirling to create a safe space for small breeds after a spate of vicious attacks at North Beach’s Charles Riley Reserve.

Residents are arming themselves with golf clubs and pepper spray to protect their pooches while walking on the off-lead oval, and say a fenced enclosure specifically set aside for dogs — dubbed “Bite Club” — is a no-go zone because it is overrun by aggressive bigger breeds. The petition calls for a separate enclosure for small dogs, similar to that at Aveley Dog Park.

Kim Slight is canvassing support for the project after her Chinese crested dog was last month left requiring stitches and a drain in his back after being attacked by an unrestrained rescue dog previously diagnosed with fear aggression.

“The vet advised that if the bites around his neck had been deeper he would certainly have died,” Ms Slight said. “She also said she generally saw two similar cases a month, so I can only assume how many attacks are recorded in the other, larger vet practices. It seems everyone you talk to has a similar story, so I can only imagine the real numbers. The general consensus seems to be it’s not worth reporting (as) the City of Stirling doesn’t do anything.”

The council issued 47 total infringement notices for dog attacks last year.

Acting director of community development Chris Brereton said while there had been reports of dog-related incidents in the area, they were few when compared to the number of people who visit the reserve.

He also ruled out segregating small and big dogs.

“The city believes an inclusive and responsible approach to pet ownership produces the best possible outcome for all dog owners,” he said. “All dog owners, regardless of the size and breed of their pet, have a responsibility to keep their dogs under effective control at all times in public areas.”

Last year there was an average of five dog attacks on people or other canines every day in Perth.

Rae Walker’s 13-year-old shih tzu had to be put down last year after it was mauled by an off-lead American Staffordshire terrier at Charles Riley Reserve.

“The dog picked Teddy up and repeatedly shook him and bashed him on to the ground,” Ms Walker said.

“The owner couldn’t get him to let go and I had to have him put to sleep because he was so badly injured.”

Ms Walker was devastated by the loss of her long-time companion and seething when she spotted the same dog, still off the lead, running around the reserve the next week.

In another incident this year, a poodle belonging to Heike Bettell’s father was attacked by a German shepherd that slipped away from its owner.