Lyndsay Marriner can vividly recall the terrifying moment two dogs burst through a fence and attacked him while he was walking his dogs around the block.
WARNING: This story contains a graphic image
"It was like a horror movie," he said.
"One dog's hit me from the right and the other dog's hit me from the left … and the first thing it did was latch onto my arm."
He said the force knocked him to the ground.
"I hit the asphalt head-first because I couldn't use my arms because they were holding my little dogs," he said.
The 56-year-old Townsville veteran said he "fought like a madman" to protect his beloved pets Luna and Pippy, who had been instrumental in treating his post-traumatic stress disorder after 40 years in the army.
"Some neighbours came running across to break up the fight and I was just dripping blood, pouring out of my forehead, out of my arms," Mr Marriner said.
Last month's attack left Mr Marriner with 29 stitches and a three-night stay in hospital with agonising back pain.
Luna required emergency vet care, while Pippy ran away and could not be found for four days.
The dogs responsible for the attack, which Mr Marriner said could have been bull mastiffs, were put down.
But the incident has left him deeply shaken.
"If I go for a walk around the block by myself, I'll be carrying a screwdriver," he said.
The veteran's experience is far from isolated in Townsville, where dog attacks are on the rise.
More than 500 dog attacks involving humans and other animals have been reported to the council so far this year – a similar figure to the whole of 2021.
"The worst fear is that someone dies," Townsville Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino said.
Mr Molachino has joined a state government task force with representatives from other Queensland councils seeking a review of dangerous dog laws.
He said he would lobby for a suite of reforms – including greater powers to seize dangerous dogs and harsher penalties for recidivist owners.
"If the owner is not properly looking after their animals, then they should suffer the consequences as well."
He said he was advocating for a statewide database to ensure dangerous animals could not fall off the radar.
"What we're seeing is dogs that are declared dangerous on the Gold Coast are turning up in Cairns and getting re-registered again with no history on that dog whatsoever," he said.
The rise in dog attacks has been distressing for clinicians at Townsville's emergency vet practice, which treats several animals each week that have been injured.
"We are seeing everything from dogs that don't have any external wounds at all and have a little bit of shock and pain, all the way through to dogs that unfortunately haven't made it alive to the clinic," veterinarian Jaime Ridley said.
"Most commonly, people are taking their dogs for a walk and either stray dogs or dogs that have gotten out of their yards are coming out and attacking dogs on leads."
She said attacks were also frequently happening at dog parks.
Dr Ridley said "antisocial" dogs were often to blame.
"One of the really crucial things that can definitely be done by all dog owners is ensuring really early socialising as puppies … and making sure we get our dog desexed."
Mr Marriner said he had sought legal advice to recoup several thousand dollars in vet bills after his attack.
He said he was eager to see changes to help protect others from similar trauma.
"I miss being able to stroll about without fear of attack, having to stay within my own property as I know it's the only certain place of safety," he said.
