At approximately 0930 hrs on Wednesday, 9 July I took Max on his second daily walk of the day. We passed Saint Thomas More primary School here in Campbell and decided to cut away from the street and go through a breezeway at the school down towards the school oval. Coming to the end of the breezeway I looked to my left and two white Labrador type dogs rushed us. Max is very reactive to other dogs, so I called out to the owner who was nearby also, to call them back, to no avail. The situation got completely out of hand. I got my hand in the wrong place, with one dog continually rushing in and the other one circling both of us and was bitten. I looked down at my right little finger which was at right angles to where it was supposed to be.
The other dogs were soon afterwards, grabbed by the owner by the scruff of their necks and taken to a car, nearby.
I moved from this area down to the right of the school where a park ranger saw and heard my distress and called for an ambulance. Around this time another gentleman came over. He offered to take care of Max, whilst I was at hospital. He left me his name and number. I explained to him that my dog is very reactive and to hold the lead correctly, which he was not. I asked him if he had a dog, which he did not.
Ambulance arrived and went to Canberra Hospital and booked for 3pm for surgery. I tried calling the gentleman many times but he did not answer, and I could not leave my phone number for him on his message bank, as I was using a hospital phone, not mine. (I do not usually take my phone with me on walks with Max).
I was wheeled back to a Ward after the surgery where my sister was waiting. My sister explained to me that the gentleman decided to take my dog down to the local shops. From evidence I received talking with the local vet, he was walking around the right-hand side of the veterinary practice; at the same time another dog was coming in the opposite direction. The gentleman lost control of Max, and due to the proximity of the two dogs, Max attacked the other dog who has needed major surgery but survived.
Max is now currently incarcerated with the proper authorities. I was able to visit him first time a week later. Due to the severity of the attack, the investigation is ongoing with no time limit. I can see him once a week until the investigation is over.
I started this petition so that I can take it to the relevant ministerial office for further action, if needed.
Hear What Others Have Already Had to Say!!!
I’ve on several occasions encountered Max with his owner and has always been very friendly to me. He also seems to have a very strong bond with his owner. I’ve also witnessed Max being very friendly with other residents.
I hope his life can be saved and returned to the care of his owner
I am writing in support of my uncle, and his dog, Max, whom I have known for some time. Throughout my experience with Max, he has always been a friendly and affectionate dog with people. He enjoys being around humans and has never shown any signs of aggression toward them in my presence.
A colleague of mine who lives in Campbell has mentioned seeing two light-coloured dogs off-leash in the area. These dogs match the description of those involved in the recent incident with Max. She noted that they appear to have no reliable recall, often running away from their owner and rushing toward her and her dog during walks.
Since learning that Max is reactive toward other dogs, the owner has taken consistent and responsible steps to manage his behaviour. He actively avoids situations where Max might be exposed to other dogs and keeps him under control at all times. The owner is also very mindful of my own dog’s whereabouts —whenever he visits, he checks in advance to ensure it’s appropriate to bring Max along or makes other arrangements when necessary.
My name is (hidden) and I am a neighbour to the owner and have have many pleasant interactions with Max over the past year or so. The first time I interacted with him I recall him having a bark that gave me the incorrect impression of his character. Since then he has only ever met me with a wagging tail and a curious nose. While he may have the build and nark of an intimidating dog, when it comes to people I have never seen him be anything but gentle. As far as I have noticed he will bark when he is uncomfortable or frightened by things around him that he is not accustomed to, but given a relaxed environment free of disturbances I see no reason why he wouldn’t be able to thrive as the peaceful and kind hearted dog that I have interacted with on so many occasions
I’ve know my neighbour (and friend) for about seven years, having met him through his Mum.
I met the dog Max about a year or so ago. I must say at first I felt a bit intimidated by Max because I’d been wary of dogs since I was a child. Having said that, I surprised myself by warming to Max pretty quickly. He was always friendly and happy to see me as I was to see him. He has a very gentle and friendly disposition. And I know he has made a huge difference in the owner’s life which has been a joy to see.
I wasn’t alone in my response to Max. I’ve been out chatting with friends and neighbours here and observed that Max is genuinely loved in our Community.
I’ve also seen the owner’s bond with Max. They have a really special and heartwarming relationship.
It’s been heartbreaking to see how devastated the owner has been during his separation from Max.
If there is anything that you think I could add to my statement of support for Max being united with the owner and our Community please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Have known the owner for a couple of years.
We have created a friendship from living in the same complex, visiting and helping each other when needed. Watching the football on weekends. And our shared Australian Regular Army backgrounds.
Max has been a big feature of his life since he first appeared in his home in May last year. Having Max, he has improved his physical and mental health, going for walks, and socialising with all the neighbours in the complex.
Not knowing Max’s upbringing and background has been a challenge for him to understand, but their connection to each other has been very positive for both.
Max is much loved by the residents and has even won over the hearts of residents that were initially wary of his appearance as a pit bull cross. Once people get close to him he is a bundle of happiness that has resonated to him as well as other residents.
You simply can’t go past him without paying the “pat tax”.
I believe with constant training and support Max will be able to overcome his trauma of other canines and be an even greater source of health and happiness to those around him.
Consideration of remedial training should be a priority to all canines.
I am writing regarding Max.
His owner lives in the same complex as myself and I have known years.
In all the time I have known Max, he has been a very friendly dog always comes up to say hello to me.
He has owned Max for about 1 year now and I have witnessed their relationship grow. As his neighbour, in that time, I have seen nothing but compassion and love their relationship. Max is a friendly dog that brings the community in our building one step closer to each other. He’s curious and caring dog and it’s clear to see ho much trust and bond exists between their relationship. He happily says hello with tail wagging to people. Max has never shown aggression to me and I rarely hear hi bark even though I live next to them.
As his neighbour I can confirm that Max is a friendly dog who lights up the community on the daily. He always comes and greets me excited and ecstatic to socialise. I have never seen him showing aggression towards me or any neighbour, much the contrary, he is always willing to be petted and often lightens up my mornings or evenings when coming back home from work.
I am an international student currently residing in Australia, and I was a neighbour of him in Campbell. Over the past year (about a year), I had regular interactions with his dog, Max.
We came to know Max through casual encounters in the neighbourhood, and he was always friendly toward us. Whenever we saw him, he would approach us playfully and seemed eager to interact. In my personal experience, Max has consistently been gentle, well-behaved, and non-aggressive with us.
I am sharing this statement based solely on my own observations and interactions with Max. I cannot speak to how he behaves around others, but I hope this information is helpful in understanding his temperament from our point of view.