Cruel act prompts dog fears

A West Dubbo man fears for the safety of his pregnant dog following a sadistic attack on his neighbour’s blue heeler.

The man requested anonymity fearing reprisals from the unknown person responsible for harming 13-year-old ‘Patch’.

“I’ve known Patch and her owner Heidi Dodds for 10 years,’’ he said.

“It is incomprehensible that anyone could commit such a monstrous act on an animal.’’

Patch was due to give birth to a litter of puppies this week. Instead she was euthanased when emergency surgery at a Dubbo veterinary clinic revealed a 21cm toothbrush holder had been forced through her cervix, rupturing her uterus and killing her puppies.

Police and the RSPCA have launched an investigation into the attack, described as one of the most shocking animal cruelty cases ever reported in the western region.

The West Dubbo man hopes the perpetrator is caught soon and fears for the safety of animals and

children in his neighbourhood.

“My dog, ‘Shilo’, is the daughter of Patch and Heidi’s other dog ‘Bruiser’ is her father,” he said.

“I picked her out of the litter because she had such a pretty face. Shilo is about to have her own puppies and I am keeping a very watchful eye. I have genuine fears about another attack.

“The perpetrator needs to be caught and jailed for a long time.’’