Labrador retriever suffers multiple bites, torn ear after attack by 4 rottweilers who escape Sennett Road home

SINGAPORE — Four rottweilers broke through a defective gate at a Sennett Road residence, and assaulted a labrador retriever named Hobbit during its evening walk on Tuesday (9 January). Hobbit suffered multiple bites, with severe injuries to her neck, shoulder and rear end, as well as a torn ear.

In an interview with Yahoo Southeast Asia on Friday (12 January), Hobbit's owner Melanie Song said she was at home with her other dog Chewie (a sapsali breed), while her domestic helper Sri was taking Hobbit on their usual night walk at around 9.20pm on Tuesday.

Recalling the distressing incident, she revealed, "I ran out of the house, and thankfully, I had the sanity to close the door so that Chewie didn't follow me out.

"I remember Sri screaming to me, saying it's Hobbit. Initially, I wanted to go and get a weapon of some sort, but I couldn't find anything, so the next thing I could grab was the dustbin to try and ward off the dogs."

Owner's efforts to save labrador retriever from the attack

Song said Hobbit was dragged by the rottweilers from a grass patch onto the middle of the road. She tried to cover her dog while attempting to use her hands to pry the rottweilers away, but they refused to let go.

"I was screaming because I was so angry. The part that really got to me was seeing them hanging on to Hobbit, and I thought, 'Oh my god, I'm going to lose her, and I'm not ready for that,'" she told Yahoo Southeast Asia.

Song managed to pull Hobbit closer and stand up, before a neighbour ushered her and Hobbit to safety, leaving the gate open and pushing Hobbit inside. "The dogs were still coming for us, and the neighbour tried to fend them off."

She added that the owner of the Rottweilers had spoken to her in an attempt to settle the matter privately, but she insisted that the owner leave. Hobbit was taken to Gaia Veterinary Centre, where she was stable and had a draining tube inserted. The vet bill amounted to over $3,000.

"I was thinking, 'You're a dog owner yourself; shouldn't you offer to send my dog to the vet first?', instead of discussing a private settlement with me," she said of the actions of the Rottweilers' owner. "For me, the money spent ensuring my dogs are in good health is well worth it because they are family."

The Straits Times reported the owner of Rottweilers, Marissa Leow, saying that the magnetic lock at their house's front gate was corroded by rain, and the dogs had burst through the gate while she was unloading groceries from a supermarket trip.

“We wanted to speak to the owner of the labrador but she was too upset to speak to us. The police advised us to perhaps wait for a while before we broach the subject with her,” she told ST.

Medical treatment and ongoing investigations

Song also detailed the incident's aftermath in a Facebook post on Wednesday (10 January), stating that she had cuts on her heel/ankle area and her toe was swollen. She sought treatment at Tan Tock Seng Hospital the next day, where she received a tetanus vaccine, antibiotics and painkillers for her injuries.

"The doctor needed to ascertain if the dogs were vaccinated to ensure there are no rabies risk. I had to go through the Police officer to check with the owner of the Rottweilers. Owner said the dogs are properly vaccinated and asked again to have a private settlement," she added.

Song has reported the incident to both the police and the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) of the National Parks Board. Jessica Kwok, group director for AVS, told Yahoo Southeast Asia that they take public feedback on animal health and welfare seriously, and investigations are ongoing.

Under the Animals and Birds Act, an errant dog owner can face a maximum composition fine of $1,000.

Song said that despite the traumatising incident, she, her helper, and Hobbit are trying to stay strong. "I've cancelled all my trips to make sure to stay put so that we can support each other."

In the most recent update regarding her medical condition, Song shared with Yahoo Southeast Asia on Friday that the doctor has diagnosed a fracture in her toe. The anticipated recovery period for the swelling to subside is six weeks.

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