An 18-month-old pygmy goat has become the latest victim in a spate of dog attacks on pets and livestock.

Alligator Creek resident Suzanne Hall said two vicious dogs broke into her two goats’ fenced pen in the early hours of Sunday and chased them into a nearby creek. One is still recovering at the Townsville Veterinary Clinic.

Ms Hall said she woke to the sound of the goats screaming and saw one of the dogs had her goat Moo by the neck.

“It was really scary, and more when I realised they were domestic dogs with collars and tags, somebody’s pets,” she said.

“It was a really violent attack.”

media_camera Moo sustained serious injuries in the attack.

Ms Hall eventually wrestled Moo out of the aggressive dog’s jaws and gave CPR before taking Moo to the Townsville Vet Clinic, who organised emergency care.

Vet Tony Phillis said Moo had to be stabilised, given pain relief and monitored for infection. “In the last few months we’ve seen one to two cases a fortnight of dog attacks on other dogs and animals, and that’s quite an increase on the last 12 to 18 months,” he said.

media_camera Vet, Dr Tony Phillis, with Teddy and Moo.

Ms Hall’s other pygmy goat Teddy was unhurt in the ordeal but is pining for Moo.

Ms Hall submitted a complaint to Townsville City Council, who provided her with a dog trap after the incident.

“The council needs to move on the fact that they’ve had so many reports in the last few months about dog attacks out here,” she said.

“Dangerous dogs in Alligator Creek are a real problem.”

A Townsville City Council spokesman said dogs declared as menacing or dangerous were required to wear a yellow tag, but council had no dangerous dogs registered in Alligator Creek.

“Council has had two reports of dogs roaming in Alligator Creek this year,” the spokesman said.

“Owners can be fined if it can be proven a dog was out of its enclosure and not under effective control in public,” the spokesman said.

“If roaming dogs are found then council must follow a legal process before the animals can be euthanased.”

media_camera A team of 5th Year JCU Veterinary Science students have been monitoring Moo throughout his recovery. Back from left: Ben Hooper, Caitlin Ghent, Chantelle Geyer, Lauren Franey and Stephanie Miller with front from left: Dr Tony Phillis, Lucy Collins, Teddy, Moo and Lynette Masters.



