I would like to thank the young lady who came to my assistance when I was knocked down from behind by two huge grey Weimaraner dogs, also known as Grey Ghost dogs. This happened at Belongil Dog Beach on Sunday 28 August, 2016.
Had it not been for this young lady pointing out the owners (who were hiding in the crowd) I would not have known who was responsible for these out-of-control dogs.
When I approached them for their contact details they simply brushed me aside by saying ‘This is a dog beach, and you enter at your own risk’.
I was in no fit condition to pursue the matter and needed to get medical assistance.
X-rays at Byron Hospital that day discovered that I had a compression fracture of the spine and 2 crushed vertebrae. It is four months since this happened and I was expecting to be fully recovered by now, but I am not.
I am hoping someone can tell me where to contact this couple as I am really disappointed by their complete lack of integrity and compassion and the fact that they took no responsibility for their unruly dogs behavior.
I am offering $500 reward to the first person who can give me the information that gives me their names and address. My mobile is 0402 314 098.
Barbara Turner, Byron Bay
Barbara, I have seen these out of control dogs at the Suffolk Park beach dog exercise area. The owner just lets them run and they end up interfering with other beach users. I have also seen them off leash on other areas of this beach.
The rules of use of this exercise area clearly state that dog owners must have control of their dogs at all times. Council Rangers need to more often patrol the exercise areas and fine the irresponsible idiots.
Your experience highlights the lack of social conscience of many dog owners.
The breed of dog you speak of is generally more boisterous than aggressive and in the wrong hands can be a pest like boxer dogs.
There seems to be a trend with people with more money than sense to own large breeds. With pit bulls and mastiffs the dog represents an extension of the penis or ugly tattoos and dispositions.
Gucci breeds like Weimaraners represent conspicuous consumption. Other than having a big bank balance or credit card debt the owner usually has no idea of how to discipline the dog and just likes it for its athleticism and uniform colour. It probably matches the colour of their leotards as they jog down the beach together.
Nail these dog owners to the wall Barbara and test their public liability insurance. Second thoughts. Don’t bother. The home will be “owned” by trust.
This is an issue all along the coastline whether on-off leash localities. My wife and I were casually walking along Wommin Lake Crescent at Fingal Head when we were savaged by a dog and I was hit in the face by the owner when I took photos of the occurrence. The TBLP Constabulary at the time said that they were too busy and unable to assist. The constable who took the report later that morning, asked why I didn’t fight back the attacker and I said because the dog was aggressive, like the owner and that it was not a favourable situation, especially since both my wife and I were bitten.
Later, when asked what was happening about the case, I was advised by Tweed Heads Police that the constable in charge was on long term leave and that they would look into the situation which they did only to reveal that the owner of the car which he [the dog owner] was only a passenger, could not be revealed due to the driver who met him that night at a party and had no idea as to his whereabouts or name.
Lesson learnt:
1. Cameras although a deterrent, could lead to violence;
2. Policing, in particular to Rangers from council seem to be under-resourced, and I find the duties of protecting the innocent person being attacked by the police constabulary a real disappointment and trust in the interstate police to consider a criminal charge [as it appears that the driver was from QLD] doesn’t breach the necessary requirements to make the case a priority in any circumstance;
3. I even saw the TSC GM [who was sacked] and although sympathetic, did nothing to enhance more robust education to dog owners or carers within the shire; and
4. Don’t let the dog be a deterrent for future walks [like terrorists], but suggest to scream loudly [if you see the dog(s) prior to either an intentional attack or being playful] in that, just maybe the owner/handler could heal the dog(s) from you being subject to injury or the like.
Unfortunately, the attack will be mindful every time you set upon the beach or parkland and your rights as a user of crown land is equal to the rights of all other user’s, however the dog owner/handler must be ‘respectful’ that other users are as equally allowed a dignity of feeling safe always.
So, all those dog lover’s out there, which there are many who are respectful, please keep in mind that you wouldn’t allow a toddler of yours to be at a distance that you had no control over an event that could be dangerous, like another dog jumping playfully over your toddler? Be mindful that you would expect your toddler to be fearful of future occurrences and that could be for life!