Cavoodle Owner Faces $3,000 Vet Bill After Brutal Park Attack

A Sydney couple whose much-loved cavoodle was badly injured in a dog attack have urged pet owners to take greater responsibility for their animals.

Marcio Sanches and his wife Bianca had taken their two dogs to Reid Park in Mosman, on Sydney’s lower north shore, on September 12.

What began as a family outing turned traumatic shortly after midday, when the couple said a brown kelpie lunged at and attacked their five-year-old cavoodle, Luna.

They allege the kelpie’s owner left immediately after the incident, without giving any contact details or checking on Luna’s condition.

Concerned that Luna may have lost vision in her injured right eye, the couple rushed her to an emergency veterinary hospital for urgent surgery. 

Luna is now recovering at home, but the dog attack has left her owners facing a $3,000 veterinary bill.

The unplanned cost has added further pressure for Mr Sanches, who is currently out of work amid rising cost-of-living expenses.

‘We’re just grateful that Luna suffered no damage to her vision, and that the worst is behind us,’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘I prefer not to think about it, but it was very stressful and upsetting at the time.

‘We were freaking out and by the time we checked on Luna, the owner of the other dog was gone.’

The couple reported the incident to Mosman Council.

‘People need to show accountability and responsibility for their dogs’ actions,’ Mr Sanches said.

‘If a person was on the ground injured, would you not offer to help?’ 

He had a scathing message for the dog owner who he claims left the scene after the attack.

‘It was an un-Australian thing to do. How would you feel if your dog was attacked?’ he said. 

‘Be a decent person and do better.’

Mosman Council urges all dog attack victims and witnesses to report the incident, regardless of whether or not an injury is caused to the person or animal.

The council has launched an investigation into last Saturday’s incident.

‘This will include seeking to obtain further information from the parties involved, appealing to any potential witnesses for information, and checking if any CCTV footage from the surrounding area is available,’ a spokesperson told the Daily Mail.

‘Depending on the outcome of the investigation and the evidence obtained, a range of enforcement actions may be available under the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998. 

‘These may include penalty notices for failing to maintain effective control of a dog and offences relating to an attack incident. 

‘Council may also consider whether there are grounds to declare the dog menacing or dangerous, which would impose strict control requirements on how the dog is managed both in public and at its home property. 

‘Any enforcement action will be determined following a full assessment of the evidence.’

During the 2025-26 reporting period, the council received 15 dog attack reports for investigation. 

Following assessment of the evidence available, three penalty notices were issued for offences under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

The couple have no regrets about paying $3,000 for Luna’s emergency treatment.

‘Luna needed treatment immediately there was never a question that we would do whatever we could for her. She’s our family,’ Mr Sanches wrote on a fundraiser.

‘Asking for financial help is something we never imagined we would do.

‘Unfortunately, we are currently going through a period of genuine financial hardship. 

‘I am out of work, and having a sudden $3,000 emergency expense has put us in an incredibly difficult position.

‘Luna is the most loving little soul. We just want to see her recover from this horrible attack, heal properly and get back to being the happy, beautiful girl we know and love.’

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