A Sunshine family has been left shaken after its kelpie-labrador-cross was stolen from the backyard and allegedly used in an illegal dog fight.
Three-year-old rescue dog Alfie was taken from the Fraser Street backyard some time between 11am and 6pm on October 30.
Alfie’s owner, Sheena, said her partner returned home to find Alfie missing, the latch on the backyard gate up and a dog lead missing.
Alfie then came home the next day with a rope around his hind leg and with serious wounds.
“He was in really bad shape,” Sheena said.
“The vet told me some of his bites were consistent with those of a larger dog … and he also had an eight-centimetre stab wound. All of that information points to the fact that he had been used as the bait in a dog fight.”
Alfie underwent two hours of surgery and had more than 100 stitches inserted at Advanced Vetcare in Kensington. He spent two days in intensive care before being allowed home.
“I personally feel unsafe in my community now,” Sheena said.
Nathan Miles, of Western Suburbs Animal Rescue, said animal cruelty was rife across Brimbank.
He said recent cases included a dog tied to an industrial train track at Sunshine, sinkers tied around ducks and a kitten which had its ears chopped off.
Police investigating Alfie’s attack have been told a woman was seen leaving the Fraser Street address on the afternoon Alfie was taken.
She is described as of thin build, aged 25-35. She was seen getting into a dark coloured, older-model Holden Commodore sedan with distinctive wheel rims.
A man, said to be olive-skinned, was behind the wheel.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
