By Esther Lauaki
A Burnside woman is calling for a dog to be put down after her cat was savagely attacked and died.
Enrica Baldwin said she was “shaken and emotional” after learning that her beloved cat, Tiger, was attacked by a pit bull cross in her front yard in late February.
“Due to that vicious attack, my cat has died,”
Ms Baldwin said. “My son walked out of the house … and he couldn’t get out the door because a dog was attacking the cat.”
Ms Baldwin said the police attended and had to capsicum spray the dog and wait for the animal welfare ranger to arrive.
She said the dog, which she believed was microchipped, was taken to the pound and Melton council has notified its owners.
“It could have been a child – I have an eight-year-old son who could have been out there with our cat,” Ms Baldwin said.
“Regardless of if it was a cat or a child, the dog still attacked. We have lost our family pet as a result of this attack … I would like to see the dog put down.”
Melton council compliance manager Phil Lovelace said the council was investigating the incident. Once the investigation was complete the council would prepare a brief to be presented at Sunshine Magistrates Court at a time yet to be determined.
“This hearing will determine the outcome of the case,” Mr Lovelace said.
“Council will then consider the fate of the dog to ensure the community is safe.
“Council has been in contact with the dog owner, who is aware of the prosecution being prepared about the incident.”
A Melton police spokesperson confirmed officers had attended a Burnside property to subdue an aggressive dog on February 28.
