The victim of a vicious dog attack in Canberra described his ordeal as "horrific" and said the animal looked like "a crouching lion waiting to attack" in the moments before it bit him.
Reading his victim impact statement in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday, Malcolm Thorp, a former Victorian police officer, recalled the attack in August last year.
He first noticed the dog, a great dane named Zue, while he was walking in the suburb of Chifley.
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"His appearance was that of a crouching lion waiting to attack," he told the court.
"I heard him growl and he then charged straight at me. It was horrific."
Mr Thorp was bitten on his arm and then twice on his back.
"I put my right arm up to protect myself at about the same instant Zue leapt at me," the court heard.
"Had I not done so, Zue would've bitten me in the neck/face region. I thought I was going to die."
Mr Thorp was taken to hospital and eventually required surgery.
Attack triggered 'immense emotional trauma'
He told the court the psychological impact of the attack had been immense.
"That memory of Zue lunging at me and the growling as he bit my back has given me immense emotional trauma, exacerbating memories I thought I had repressed from my previous role as a Victorian police officer," he said.
"For many weeks following the attack, I relived the attack like a permanent video loop in my mind."
The dog's owner, Darren Zolotto, 48, pleaded guilty to not complying with the conditions of a dangerous dog licence and to keeping a dangerous dog that attacked a person.
The ACT Government's domestic animal services had previously declared Zue a dangerous dog. The animal was put down after the attack.
Zolotto's lawyer, James Maher, told the court it was a "regrettable situation" for everyone and his client acknowledged the harm done to Mr Thorp.
Mr Maher said Zolotto had taken steps to keep the dog secure but, on the day of the attack, Zue had escaped.
A written apology from Zolotto to Mr Thorp was also tendered in court.
Referring to the letter, Magistrate James Lawton said: "I hope it makes it clear to [Mr Thorp] this offence was not one that was deliberately intended."
The court heard Zolotto had a history of mental-health problems and had little money.
In sentencing him, the magistrate ordered Zolotto be put on a good-behaviour bond for 18 months and a conviction recorded.
He was also ordered to pay Mr Thorp $4,480.05 in compensation for lost wages and medical expenses.
