Perth family fights off rescue Blue Heeler Ace as it tears at father's throat before police shoot it

Publish date: 2024-09-04

An Australian father screamed for police to 'just shoot him' after the family's rescue dog tore at his throat and mauled his wife and daughter in an unprovoked 'bloodbath'.

The three-year-old Blue Heeler, named Ace, lunged at Stephen Quail's neck before the family hid in fear until police arrived at the Baldivis home in Perth's southern suburbs on Sunday night.

WA police had to shoot the dog three times to kill it when it continued its attack after they arrived.

Australian police shot and killed a family's pet Blue Heeler after it went berserk, biting its owner on the throat and sending three family members to hospital (Pictured one of the injured family members)

Australian police shot and killed a family's pet Blue Heeler after it went berserk, biting its owner on the throat and sending three family members to hospital (Pictured one of the injured family members)

WA police were forced to shoot the dog, named 'Ace', a third time to euthanise it after it mauled two more family members when they arrived at the Baldivis property

WA police were forced to shoot the dog, named 'Ace', a third time to euthanise it after it mauled two more family members when they arrived at the Baldivis property

Police were called to the Vernon Gough Drive home in the city's southern suburbs early on Sunday evening, after the animal attacked its owner, biting him on the throat and arm. 

Mr Quail, his wife Michelle and their daughter, 18, were all rushed to Rockingham Hospital with serious injuries after the attack by the dog, which they had rescued only a month earlier.

'I had to come out and rip his jaws off [Michelle], and threw the dog in front of the police officer and said "just shoot him, shoot him, shoot him",' Mr Quail told The West Australian.

He said the dog 'opened me up' under the chin and believes he could have died if the dog didn't still have a cone around its neck after the surgery.

Ms Quail said it took 'all my might' to pull Ace off her husband in the 'horrific' attack.

A man in his 50s received multiple bite wounds to his neck, chin and one of his arms from the dog attack. A woman in her 50s and an 18 year old woman also received serious injuries and were taken to hospital

A man in his 50s received multiple bite wounds to his neck, chin and one of his arms from the dog attack. A woman in her 50s and an 18 year old woman also received serious injuries and were taken to hospital

The dog then latched onto her calf, and also bit their terrified daughter on her arm. She managed to lock herself in a nearby room during the attack.

Ms Quail said she had 'never been so scared' and that the dog's attack came 'out of nowhere'.

The dog, which the family was told had a traumatic past, had just returned home from castration surgery when it went berserk.

'We’re not naïve, we took so much care for him, we have a peaceful household,' Mr Quail said. 

Blue Heeler's are commonly known as Bluey and have been popularised in the hit ABC Kids program by the same name.

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 Ms Quail said the family was 'devastated' because they'd expected Ace to be their 'forever' dog. 

Both mother and daughter suffered multiple bite wounds, WA police confirmed, and Mr Quail had bite wounds to his neck, chin and one of his arms.

'About 6:40pm last night, Sunday 10 July 2022, police received a Triple Zero emergency call regarding a pet dog attacking its owner at a residence in Baldivis,' a WA police statement said.

'The owner had received arm and throat injuries and along with three other family members had hidden from the dog, pending the arrival of authorities.

Police were called to the Vernon Gough Drive home in Perth's southern suburbs on Sunday early evening after the dog bit its owner on the throat forcing the family to hide from it

Police were called to the Vernon Gough Drive home in Perth's southern suburbs on Sunday early evening after the dog bit its owner on the throat forcing the family to hide from it

'Due to the extremely aggressive nature of the dog a police firearm was discharged two times to stop the attack.

'Given the injuries the dog received a third shot was fired to euthanise the dog and prevent it from suffering any further.'

St John Ambulance attended the scene and all three injured family members were taken to Rockingham General Hospital for treatment to their injuries.

Three members of the same family were rushed to Rockingham General Hospital on Sunday evening after the family dog attacked them, causing serious injuries

Three members of the same family were rushed to Rockingham General Hospital on Sunday evening after the family dog attacked them, causing serious injuries

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