An Oxley couple have issued a warning to fellow residents after their pup fell victim to two vicious dog attacks on a favourite suburban walk.
Debbie Dainer was walking her 10-year-old blue heeler Jackie on Oxley Hill when what she described as a hunting dog attacked the pup, prompting its owner to leap into action to end the horror scene.
"It just happened so fast, this dog was on top of her and Jackie was screaming and there was a bit of a roll down the incline," Ms Dainer said.
"The man that was there with the dog was very rapidly onto the dog and [the dog] had Jackie by the neck ... this dog would not let go.
"It was absolutely horrific to see. Considering the condition she's in now ... I really thought she was dead."
Ms Dainer praised the efforts of the dog's owner in his attempt to end the brawl, but it was only after the dog loosened its grip for a moment Jackie was able to break free.
Jackie's injuries were so severe she was taken into surgery later that day.
Ms Dainer reported the incident to Domestic Animal Services and rangers arrived minutes later to investigate, but couldn't find the offending animal.
It was the second time Jackie had been attacked on Oxley Hill in just a few weeks, and one of five attacks reported to DAS in that suburb this year.
Last month, on their usual route Ms Dainer said two "hunting dogs" which were not with any people "appeared out of nowhere" at the hilltop and set on Jackie. Ms Dainer did not think the same dog was responsible for both attacks.
She also reported the attack but the dogs were not located.
There have been 490 dog attacks reported to Domestic Animal Services since January. So far, 294 infringements have been handed out as a result.
In 2019, 594 attacks were reported a drop from the previous year with 795 cases.
Ms Dainer won't return to Oxley Hill and feared for the young children and elderly residents who often did.
"[Jackie] will always be on a lead now, she will never enjoy running freely around the place," she said.
"I will not go back up on the reserve, it's too dangerous.
"There are a few older people who walk their dogs up there and I'd be very worried about them."
A Transport Canberra and City Services spokesman said the reported incidents varied from harassment without injury to aggressive biting.
"It is an offence not to report a dog attack in the ACT, and following recent campaigns there is an increased awareness within the community of the importance of reporting," he said.
He said it was a dog owner's responsibility to keep control of their animals on or off the lead.
"The best way to ensure effective control is to walk your dog on a leash not greater than two metres, and don't let young children or others who are unable to control a dog hold the leash," he said.
"When your dog is off-leash in other areas, including dog parks, you must still keep it under effective control. This means that it must be in sight at all times and respond to your commands."
Ms Dainer believed dangerous dogs shouldn't be allowed to wander the suburbs.
"In the end we're always dealing with a dog and we've got to acknowledge there's a degrees of unpredictability," she said.
"But there are some breeds I don't think should be out wandering around."
