According to its owner, a cat on Cook Street had a run in with an off-leash dog which turned into a near death experience.
On Tuesday, February 13th, Amanda Dodds said she was inside her home at the Pink Flamingo apartments on Cook Street.
Her cat Otis was outside on her ground level patio when an off leash dog and its owner were walking northbound, away from the Dallas Road dog park.
She says the dog ran ahead of its owner and into her backyard where it “viciously attacked” Otis.
“My 80-year-old neighbour witnessed the attack and spoke with the dog’s owner, however no one knew the extent of injury at the time,” explained Dodds.
“My neighbour did recognize them as regulars in the neighbourhood, however we have not heard from or seen them since.”
Dodds says she also saw some onlookers around her patio when the attack happened initially, but she also has not heard from any of those individuals.
Following the attack, Dodds took Otis to the Waves Emergency Clinic, where his X-rays indicated that he had a broken and dislocated ankle.
He was given a temporary splint under anaesthesia and Dodds took home some strong drugs for the pain.
She says doctors recommended an amputation as well as pointed out a possible stress-induced rupture on his backside that would require surgery.
See also:
- Here’s where to find the best cherry blossoms in and around Victoria (PHOTOS)
- ‘Queens of Comedy’: International Women’s Day brings an all-female comedy show to Victoria
“Despite all of this, Otis has continued purring knowing he is now in good hands,” Dodds wrote in the fundraiser description. “He has been SO brave and I am SO grateful he came home.”
Dodds decided to book the surgeries, including the amputation, even though she could not afford them due to just starting a new job.
She says the vet bill that this off leash dog attack caused will cost her around $6,990.
Dodds said that in order to pay for the surgeries, she had no choice but to start a GoFundMe for Otis which has already garnered her nearly $5,200.
“My hope is that with the community’s support this dog and owner will be held accountable for their actions,” Dodds said.
“If I can confirm his identity through additional witnesses, I can then take him to court to cover the medical fees.”
“I would also love to work with enforcing no off leash dogs along Cook Street. It is unsafe for both the dog, wildlife, outdoor cats (of which there are many) children and drivers,” she added.
Dodds’ neighbour shared an approximate description with her following the incident in which he told her the dog is a medium size schnauzer-type dog, with a long shaggy face and not too dark in colour.
Her neighbour described the owner as a middle-aged man, medium height, heavy set with short, lighter coloured hair. He may drive a dark blue car and wear a ball cap.
“This has been one of the most difficult experiences and I will do anything in my power to ensure this does not happen to anyone else,” Dodds concluded.
