Real estate agent recovering in wheelchair after violent dog attack during Broome property inspection

Authorities in Western Australia’s far north are investigating a dog attack that has left a prominent Broome real estate agent recuperating in a wheelchair with severe leg injuries.

Readers are advised this article includes an image of wounds some may find distressing.

Tony Hutchinson was set upon by two dogs he described as being “like pitbulls or American staffies”, when he visited a property at the owner’s request.

Mr Hutchinson said the owners were not home and he was not told there were three dogs on the property, nor were there warning signs.

“The dog had very powerful jaws, so as well as ripping flesh it crushed bones,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“I still can’t walk. Still getting around on the wheelchair and crutches, so it’s been a challenge.”

The real estate agent feared he was going to be killed after falling to the ground with one dog latched onto his leg, while the second dog “attacked” and a third stood nearby.

A colleague created a diversion allowing him to escape.

“I had to scramble up onto the bonnet of the car bleeding like a stuck pig,” Mr Hutchinson said.

Mr Hutchinson’s clothes were torn during the incident and his car showed scratch marks.

He was left with seven wounds on his legs.

‘Extremely traumatic’

Neighbors said the same two dogs recently bit another man on the hand and attacked a dog, and they feared a child would be hurt.

“It was extremely traumatic … the next person’s going to die,” warned Mr Hutchinson.

The Shire of Broome said it was investigating the incident.

Mr Hutchinson said in his 38 years visiting Broome properties he had never had an encounter with dogs like the incident this month.

He urges dog owners to be responsible.

“You might feel that the dog is not going to behave in that way because you know it,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“But towards other people, they can often be more aggressive than you’re aware — so be responsible.”