A WILLASTON resident wants dog owners exercising their pets in Gawler to be better aware of the damage they could cause other dogs, after her Rhodesian ridgeback was badly bitten last week.

Odette Vickers was walking her dog Sarsha with her daughter along Haines Road, Willaston, when another dog, which was running off a leash in the nearby reserve, approached and bit her pet on the leg.

She said the other owner briefly apologised, before leaving the reserve without following up on Sarsha’s injuries.

The incident saw Sarsha spend two days at the vet, with surgeons having to repair ligaments and  muscle in her leg, which cost Mrs Vickers $2000.

Mrs Vickers said her dog was on a leash and was wearing a head-halter, which restricted Sarsha’s mouth, at the time of the incident.

She said dogs should be able to run free, but owners should take responsibility for any damage their dogs cause while off a leash.

“It would be nice if people could do the right thing, but not everybody does I guess,” Mrs Vickers said.

“The absolute worst possible scenario here is that she (Sarsha) loses her leg.

“People should do the right thing and if something like this does happen, be an Australian and at least follow through with what’s happened and be accountable for it.”

Dogs are allowed to be exercised off leash at the Haines Road reserve, but must be put back on a leash once it leaves the grounds.

Gawler mayor Karen Redman said owners needed to be aware of the laws surrounding dogs on leashes and control them accordingly.

“The penalty for not having a dog on a leash in a designated on-leash area is $100,” she said.

“Residents can report any concerns they have to council’s community safe officers, who will investigate the matter and take appropriate action.”