In January this year, I was bitten by a small dog, which was on its leash, as I was walking down a Melbourne suburban street. The dog, with no provocation, launched itself at my leg and bit it in multiple places.

I subsequently required four days of hospitalisation, IV antibiotics and two surgical procedures (20 stitches), as well as a protracted course of oral antibiotics and 10 weeks of forced inactivity with my leg elevated.

I lost time off work and had ongoing back pain and loss of conditioning as a secondary result. An older person who was attacked may have sustained more severe injuries. A young child might have been bitten on the face or neck, with a possibly fatal outcome.

The owners were very apologetic, but I reported the dog to council in the interests of public safety. They  contacted the owners and gave them a warning. In our municipality, they do not euthanise dogs for a single attack.