Victim’s response on dog attack

IN response to the article titled ‘Killer dogs back in the community?’ (Murray Pioneer, 19/11/25), my husband, myself and our dog Nellie were the victims of this malicious attack, that occurred on October 24, 2025.

This was no alleged attack. It occurred.

Nellie sustained fatal injuries, and both of us suffered hand and arm injuries trying to save Nellie.

Mid Murray Council has photos and reports from the vet, including vet costs, Berri hospital for the cleaning and treatment of wounds, and tetanus shots, and our victim statement. We also reported it to police.

One dog jumped a 1.2m-high farm gate. The owner of the dogs then opened the access gate and came in with the other dog on a leash, so then we had two dogs attacking Nellie, and both of us.

We feel he had no control of the dogs.
The dogs should have been seized straight away, permanently, and not returned as they were the following week, with council giving the owner guidelines such as muzzling, using a leash, and adequate fencing to the property.

There have been dog attacks reported during the last two years and we feel council has done nothing about this.

Now Nellie is dead and we are still having to deal with the trauma that unfolded.
This would not have happened to Nellie, or us, if council did its job to start with, and we think this will happen again.

Next time it could mean a human fatality. We think these dogs have the taste of blood, and the community is not safe, contrary to what council is saying.
NOLA and BOB HAWLEY
Morgan