Man loses index finger during dog attack in Far North Queensland

Andrew Stevens is recovering at home after his greyhound accidentally bit off his finger during a dog attack in Cairns. (ABC Far North: Kristy Sexton-McGrath)

A Queensland council is investigating after a man had his finger bitten off during a dog attack in Cairns.  

Andrew Stevens and his partner Helen Leicht were walking their two dogs on a lead along a road in Cairns last week when their animals were set upon by two unleashed dogs.

Mr Stevens said the dogs, which were with their owner, latched on to his greyhound, Jay Jay, and refused to let go.

He said when he attempted to pull Jay Jay away from the attacking dogs by his collar, the greyhound mistakenly bit his right index finger.

"I didn't know I'd lost it straight away, because it didn't hurt," Mr Stevens said.

"It all happened very quickly and it was only when we were walking back to our car that I realised it was gone.

"We walked back to the site and looked for it, but we couldn't find it in the leaf litter, so that was the end of that."

Andrew Stevens was rushed in surgery after the attack. (Supplied: Helen Leicht)

'He will have to adapt'

Mr Stevens, who plays trombone in a brass band and owns a marine upholstery business, was taken by ambulance to the Cairns Hospital where he underwent surgery last Tuesday.

Andrew Stevens is an upholsterer and a trombonist. (Supplied: Helen Leicht)

Ms Leicht said Mr Stevens had suffered a permanent disability that would affect his ability to work.

"Threading needles, sewing and stitching, it is going to be very hard without an index finger," Ms Leicht said.

"He will have to adapt, but he will get on with it.

"It could have been a small child that got injured."

Ms Leicht said  the owner of the two dogs refused to give the couple his details, but did apologise for the attack before leaving the scene. 

She said his dogs looked like bull mastiff or pitbull mixed breeds.

Ms Leicht reported the incident to police and the Cairns Regional Council.

A council spokeswoman said the owner had been identified and an investigation was underway.

Jay Jay suffered deep wounds during the attack. (ABC Far North: Kristy Sexton-McGrath)

Vet bills mounting

Ms Leicht said their greyhound Jay Jay had suffered severe bite wounds to his rear and the back of his neck.

"We have paid $3,000 in vet bills," Ms Leicht said.

"He's lost a lot of weight since the attack.

"He's very placid and everyone loves him — it's just awful what's happened."

Last year there were more than 800 dog-related incidents reported to the Cairns Regional Council, including people and animals being bitten and "rushed at" by dogs.

The ABC has attempted to contact the owner of the two dogs.