Four people were taken to hospital after a family pet dog attacked several people inside a Melton West home in Melbourne’s west. Police, paramedics and council officers are now examining what led to the serious incident.
Emergency services were called to a property on James Cook Drive in Melton West late on Thursday night after reports that multiple people had been bitten by a dog. Ambulance Victoria responded with Advanced Life Support and Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedics after the call came in about 10:30pm.
Victoria Police said the dog was a family pet and that the attack occurred during an argument inside the home. Four people suffered significant bite injuries and were taken to hospital. Their injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening.
The case is now being investigated by police and the City of Melton, with authorities expected to review witness accounts, the circumstances inside the home and any relevant history involving the animals.
Who was taken to hospital?
Emergency services confirmed four people were injured:
- A male in his late teens was taken to Sunshine Hospital with serious but stable lower-body injuries.
- A female in her late teens was taken to Sunshine Hospital with serious but stable lower- to mid-body injuries.
- A woman in her 30s was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious but stable lower- to mid-body injuries.
- A man in his 20s was taken to Footscray Hospital with mid-body injuries and was listed in a stable condition.
Neighbours describe screams before emergency crews arrived
Neighbours Ravinder Kaur and Paul Sandhu said they heard loud screams coming from the property before police and ambulances arrived. The noise alarmed nearby residents, who initially feared someone inside the home was being seriously harmed.
Mr Sandhu said the street quickly filled with emergency vehicles as multiple ambulances and police units reached the scene. The response drew attention across the neighbourhood, with residents watching as paramedics treated those injured.
Two dogs removed from the property
The City of Melton confirmed that a council ranger attended the address after police requested assistance. Two dogs were surrendered to council officers as part of the response.
The family later confirmed both dogs had been euthanised. Authorities have not released further details about the breed of the dogs or whether either animal had been the subject of previous reports.
What investigators will examine
Police and council investigators are expected to focus on the timeline of the attack, what was happening inside the home before the incident, and whether any known risk factors may have contributed. That may include witness statements, emergency service reports and information about the dogs’ behaviour before the attack.
Because the dog was reportedly a household pet, the case has raised questions about how quickly domestic incidents can become dangerous when an animal becomes distressed, defensive or aggressive during a dispute.
Why dog bite injuries can be serious
Dog attacks can cause deep wounds, nerve damage, broken bones and infection risks, especially when people try to separate others from the animal or protect themselves during a chaotic situation. Even when injuries are not life-threatening, hospital care and surgery may still be needed.
Health data in Victoria has shown dog bite presentations have increased in recent years, with many cases involving hands, wrists, arms and the head region. These injury patterns often reflect attempts to shield the body or stop an attack.
Animal-related investigations can involve complex questions around ownership, safety and welfare. A separate case involving animal welfare concerns can be found in this report on the California animal sanctuary investigation.
Focus remains on the injured
For residents in Melton West, the immediate concern remains the recovery of the four injured people. Police have not announced any charges, and the City of Melton has said it will not release further details while the matter remains under investigation.
Official findings will depend on the evidence gathered by police and council officers in the coming days.
For official reporting and future updates, visit ABC News Australia.
This article is based on publicly reported information from emergency services, police, council statements and local reporting. Details may change as the investigation continues.
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