Pressure mounts on Bunnings to BAN pets from its stores after a deadly dog-on-dog fight in front of horrified shoppers
- A pit bull mauled and killed a smaller dog in front of terrified shoppers on Sunday
- Witnesses said employees asked the larger animal’s owner to put him on a leash
- But the pit bull lunged at the smaller dog and grabbed him by the neck
- It was left with injuries that were too severe to recover from, despite vet’s efforts
- Australians urging Bunnings to ban pets from entering its stores after attack
Outraged Australians are urging Bunnings to ban pets from entering its stores following a fatal dog attack over the weekend.
A pit bull mauled and killed a smaller dog in front of terrified shoppers at the hardware giant’s Stafford outlet in Brisbane on Sunday.
Witnesses said employees asked the larger animal’s owner to put him on a leash before entering the store.
Bunnings allows dogs to enter stores but states they must be of a ‘friendly’ nature and need to be either on a lead, wearing a muzzle, carried or safely secured in a trolley. A dog not involved in Sunday’s incident is pictured inside a Bunnings store
But the pit bull lunged at the smaller dog and grabbed him by the neck, leaving it with injuries that were too severe to recover from.
Bunnings policy allows dogs to enter its stores, but states they must be of a ‘friendly’ nature and need to be either on a lead, wearing a muzzle, carried or safely secured in a trolley/vehicle.
Gina Gilmore, who witnessed the attack, labelled it as ‘brutal and graphic’.
She tried to help staff pry the smaller dog free from the pit bull’s jaws.
A large pit bull (not pictured) mauled and killed a smaller dog in front of terrified onlookers in a Stafford Bunnings on January 31. Pictured: A dog not involved to Sunday’s incident muzzled inside a Bunnings store
‘I’m all for businesses allowing pets if people follow the rules,’ Ms Gilmore told news.com.au.
‘I think in this case the pit bull owner let that dog down terribly. It was clearly vicious and should never have been in a public place, let alone Bunnings.’
Bunnings has extended its support to the owner of the deceased dog.
However, the company did not answer questions about whether Bunnings would change its store policy on dogs.
The Bunnings policy allows dogs to enter stores (pictured) but they need to be either on a lead, wearing a muzzle, carried or safely secured in a trolley/vehicle
Thousands of social media users have entered a fierce debate over whether or not dogs should be allowed inside the hardware store.
‘Why on earth anyone would take a dog into Bunnings (unless it was a visually impaired person or someone with a comfort dog) is beyond me,’ one commented on a Daily Mail Australia post.
‘Why do people feel the need to take their dogs everywhere they go? It’s ridiculous! Also not very considerate for those children and adults who may be scared of dogs. Do us all a favour and leave the ANIMALS at home!’ another said.
Social media users have been outraged by the attack with some saying that only guide and assistance dogs should be allowed into any shop, retail store or shopping centre. Pictured: A dog not involved in Sunday’s incident muzzled and on lead inside a store
Others condemned the ‘irresponsible’ owner of the pit bull.
‘Why did he bring his dog there like that? What on earth did he think? His dog was so special it didn’t require a muzzle or lead?’, one person said.
‘There goes taking any pets to Bunnings,’ a second commented.
Brisbane City Council has been made aware of the ‘terrible incident’ and an investigation is underway.
‘Pet owners must show responsibility, and we expect all owners to ensure their animal is under effective control at all times when in public and at home,’ Councillor Kim Marx said.
Many are annoyed at the pit pull owner who did not follow the company policy for ruining this for pet owners who do listen. Pictured: Bunnings Warehouse