Fears dogs will attack again

DEVASTATED FAMILY: Tanya and Ben Young, with their son Lachlan, were devastated when their cat Louey was attacked by dogs.

Chris Ison Rokccat

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IT WAS like losing a member of the family for Ben and Tanya Young.

Before the birth of their toddler Lachlan, they had Louey – their tortoise-shell coloured Persian cat.

Born in their Palmer St home in Allenstown, Ben and Tanya lovingly brought up the seven-year-old feline.

But they fear the worst after three dogs attacked him late Saturday night.

Returning home after a special family dinner, an early celebration for both of their birthdays this week, Ben was in the lounge room near their veranda.

He said he heard a scuffle outside on the veranda and saw three large dogs fighting over Louey.

Despite his attempts to shoo the canines away, they ran off with the badly injured cat.

“He was part of the family,” Ben said.

Tanya said they were having trouble explaining Louey’s disappearance to Lachlan, who acted as a “guard cat” over their 19-month-old son.

“I’m just worried there are some vicious dogs on the loose, hunting in a pack,” Ben said. “I’d hate for it to be someone’s child.”

Ben described the dogs as similar to those used for pig-hunting and coloured black, white and tan respectively.

Rockhampton Regional Council said they were investigating the incident and had increased the number of patrols in the area.

The council said they recently approved the introduction of systematic inspections in areas that had a higher occurrence of wandering dogs.

It has received 31 reported dog attacks in August and 45 attacks in July.

The council wants to remind pet owners to keep their dogs from wandering the streets.

DOG ATTACKS

Rockhampton Regional Council reports of alleged dog attacks for 2011:

August: 31

July: 45

Call 1300 225 577 to report wandering dogs to council