DOROTHY ‘Dot’ Simmons may be battered and bruised, but she has thanked the community who helped her following a horrific dog attack that left her in hospital.
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Mrs Simmons was walking her neighbour’s dog Daisy, a five-year-old cavoodle, when they were attacked by two dogs who were roaming Machattie Park without their owner on Tuesday morning.
As she and Daisy were knocked to the ground a number of passers-by came to their aid which sent the attacking dogs scurrying off.
Stacey Whittaker spoke to the Western Advocate on behalf of her mother Sue Parkes, who owns Daisy the dog.
“She [Mrs Simmons] wanted to pass on her thanks. She would like to thank all who were involved on the day, and also the vet and the hospital staff,” Mrs Whittaker said.
“She was so overwhelmed by the kindness shown by everyone.”
Mrs Simmons was left with concussion and puncture wounds to her arm, while Daisy was left fighting for life with her carotid artery and jugular exposed in the attack.
Mrs Simmons left hospital the day after the attack, and Daisy was released from the vet on Thursday.
“Poor Dot was so pleased to see Daisy, there were tears,” Mrs Whittaker said.
When the Advocate broke news of the attack on its Facebook page on Tuesday, the post was flooded with concern for Mrs Simmons and Daisy.
“Wishing both this dear lady and the dog Daisy a speedy recovery. Just [an] awful incident,” Wendy Chapman posted.
“How terrifying for Dot and Daisy, sending best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope that the other dog is caught soon before there is another attack,” Angie J Cranston wrote.
Mrs Whittaker said she has been in touch with the owner of the attacking dogs and was told the main instigator in the attack, a great dane, had since been desexed.
“She has shown genuine concern. She made measures to have it contained properly,” she said.
There have been 26 dog attacks in the past 12 months to March, 2016 in Bathurst with a total of seven people and 38 animals attacked.
The Office of Local Government (OLG) data shows the number of attacks in the year prior was 22 with eight people and 28 animals attacked.
A dog attack can include any incident where a dog rushes at, attacks, bites harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin).