A FINGAL family suffered a devastating blow over the weekend when a dog mauled and killed their two pet alpacas.

Sharon Richardson, who runs Harmony B&B in Placadena Road with her husband Jeremy, said she heard knocking at her kitchen door on Sunday afternoon 1 September and opened it to find her distraught neighbour coming to report the shocking news.

“I’m still a wreck,” she said yesterday (Monday). “My neighbour heard squealing and raced over the see a large Staffie [Staffordshire bull terrier] attacking our alpacas.

“He gathered stones from our pond to ward off the dog but it left off the alpacas and came after him and he had to jump the fence to get away from it.”

Ms Richardson said she raced to the yard to find beloved pets in agony, one with the side of its face “ripped off” and the other with its bottom jaw bitten off.

The dog had run off towards properties backing onto Moonah Golf Course.

A vet from Main Ridge came quickly but could do nothing to save the animals, which had to be put down.

“They were beautiful family pets,” Ms Richardson said of Lui and Juno. “We have had them since they were babies and they were a huge part of our life here at the B&B.

“They were not just left to roam out in the paddock. They were a huge part of the experience here with the guests enjoying their company.”

Ms Richardson said she has “serious concerns” about the dog attacking again – particularly children.

“I didn’t see the dog, but I am told it is a large tan Staffie-type with a white chest and a big collar. It was roaming with a smaller dog.

“We called the police and they called the [Mornington Peninsula] shire ranger who came over … but couldn’t find the dog.

“I want people to know there’s a dangerous dog out there,” she said.

“I’m sure there’s an owner out there who knows their dog has done something terrible. If their dog came home with its face covered in blood they would have to know.”

Ms Richardson said she “feels so empty” after her loss. “First thing every morning I’d go down to the gate and [Lui and Juno] would be waiting for me and I’d give them some hay,” she said. “Now there’s no one waiting for me because of that bastard dog.”

The temperament of Stafforshire bull terriers is described as being fearless, affectionate, intelligent, bold, reliable, loyal and courageous.

First published in the Western Port Times – 3 September 2019