Milo the miniature dachshund is recovering from a weekend attack by a Rottweiler, and his owners are hoping to recover the $3,200 it has cost to treat their pet.
The little dog suffered "significant" injuries during the Sunday afternoon incident in Lambrick Park, said Dr. Kirk Prince, medical officer at Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital.
"The doctor on the floor at the time encountered multiple puncture wounds," Prince said Tuesday, just before Milo was released for home. "There was some tearing of the muscles, some hemor-rhaging, bleeding both outside and underneath the skin, which all had to be repaired surgically."
Kevin Meldrum said his wife, Laura, was walking the family's three dogs on Sunday when two unleashed Rottweilers approached from about 60 metres away. He said she had Ruby the Great Dane on a leash, with Milo and fellow miniature dachshund, Yoda, under control at her feet.
Milo was the only one hurt. "[Laura] didn't know until she got him home how injured he was," Meldrum said.
Prince said such attacks are all too common in the region, although things are getting better.
"On a fairly regular basis we'll have animals coming in with bite wounds, so it is an ongoing concern. There's been vast improvement in the last 10 to 15 years, with ... leash laws and controlling the animals, not having them run at large.
"It's really important to keep the animals under control. Part of being responsible for your pet is not allowing them to injure others."
Meldrum said he is hoping the Rottweilers' owner will come forward. He has placed a number of posters about the incident around the park and is asking anyone with information to call 250-479-0711.
