Toasties medical bills

Hi. My name is Quentin and I am helping raise funds to assist Toastie’s family with the medical bills they are incurring after he was attacked by 2 dogs yesterday afternoon whilst returning home from a walk in the park.

I was one of the residents who stepped in to help as the attack was taking place.

This is important to me and my family as we are also dog owners and part of the Joondanna community. We want awareness of this incident to be raised so all people are aware and take full responsibility for the dogs in their care.

Please see his owners social media post below.

“This post is to raise awareness to please leash your dog/s on on leash areas and make sure they are contained within your household appropriately.

Yesterday around 4pm, I was walking my dog, Toastie on leash on the sidewalk/footpath in Joondanna. I was less than 50m away from getting back home. Suddenly, two dogs came charging down a driveway and attacked myself and Toastie. A completely unprovoked attack, we were just walking on the public footpath enjoying a walk. Two seconds earlier before the attack, Toastie was happily sniffing and trotting besides me knowing his walk was coming to a close. These dogs were not taunted or called upon, we were ambushed. Toastie was attacked twice, the first time when we were ambushed on the footpath and the second time after the attacking dog owner/myself/other bystanders managed to get the attacking dog off Toastie's throat. As soon as Toastie broke free, he ran for his life down the street and the attacking dog chased after him and attacked Toastie again.

Toastie is lucky to be alive. He underwent surgery last night for the bite wounds he received on his abdomen, and all the ones around his neck. It is the most traumatic experience I have ever gone through. I was watching my dog die infront of me. We were told by the vet that Toastie had a gaping hole in his throat with the jugular vein completely exposed. If the attack had gone for any longer, if it wasn't for the multiple people that came out of their homes to help, this attack could have been fatal.

Thank you to everyone who helped. One of my neighbours had to go to ED to get stitches on his hand. Thank you for your bravery.

From the bottom of my heart, if you or you know anyone or see anyone who does not contain their dogs at home appropriately and/or not leash their dogs in on leash areas, please speak up and let them know to do the right thing. Or please notify the council/ranger. If those dogs had been restrained, this would have not happened. The trauma I have gone through I would not wish upon anybody. Let alone the trauma my once happy, active, goofy dog has gone through. He is physically and mentally shattered and I have no idea how this experience will change his personality and behaviour going forward. We have a long road of recovery ahead of us and no one should have to go through this.

After a sleepless night as my brain kept replaying the horrible attack and as I tried to keep Toastie comfortable as much as possible I knew I had to raise this within our community.

If this post can reach someone and prevent a future attack, at least something can be learnt from the pain and suffering this event has caused Toastie, myself and my family. Physically I may have bite wounds on my right arm and hand but the emotional and psychological trauma is not something that can heal from bandages and medication. I would not wish this upon anyone.

This could have happened to anyone and it could have been fatal. It could have been a child.

For those who may be wondering, yes I have contacted the local council and the ranger is aware. We are following their instructions to deal with this matter adequately through the appropriate channels”.