By Tyler Wright
Kalorama local and dog owner Deborah Saunders, along with her family, are devastated after an incident resulting in the death of their dog, Peppi, in Kalorama on Saturday.
Between 9:30am and 10:00am, an alleged fight ensued between the family’s chihuahua and a larger dog passing by the front of the property – an altercation which ended in the Saunders’ front yard.
“My husband’s been to the doctors and he’s got two weeks off for stress, [and] he just keeps crying,” Deborah said.
“Every time I looked at him I always said ‘Isn’t he beautiful? Isn’t he lovely?’ And now he’s gone – way too soon.”
“He had the best character of a dog, and he was just something different – he was spectacular in every way.”
Peppi was ten years old, had diabetes and recently underwent eye cataract surgery.
“There was nothing we couldn’t do for him because he was just so special; now we’re just shattered,” the owner said.
In a statement to the Star Mail, a Yarra Ranges Council spokesperson said council took “immediate action” after being notified of the incident on Sunday 29 May and the other dog was seized.
“Council seized the dog, which was subsequently taken to Animal Aid,” the spokesperson said.
Yarra Ranges Council are currently investigating the matter.
“Attacks like these are rare, and can cause significant trauma and sadness for all involved. We take these attacks very seriously, and are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community,” they said.
