Max Sward has come forward to tell the story of an horrific attack that led to his 16-year-old pet cat Toffee being put down. 

It follows a report in last week’s Oberon Review about unrestrained dogs knocking over Jill Evans at the Oberon Common and an attack on Sharon Dunbar’s 12-year-old Jack Russell.

Mr Sward, from Glyndwr Avenue, said three dogs attacked and mauled his ginger and white cat on Thursday, April 2. 

“We rushed her to the vet, but nothing could be done and we had to put her down,” he said.

Oberon Council’s stock control officer was contacted and took the dogs to the local pound. 

After the dogs spent the Easter break at the pound, Mr Sward was told they were released back to their owner under strict orders on how they were to be restrained in the yard. 

The dogs would not be permitted out of the yard unless they were muzzled and on a lead, Mr Sward was told.

He said he was getting his mail last week when he saw the same dogs running down the street chasing the local postie. 

Mr Sward said he phoned council to notify that the dogs were out.

“Council officers investigated and came to our house and told my wife that the owners of the dogs said the dogs had not left the yard all day,” he said.

Council staff told Mr Sward it was his word against the word of the owner of the dogs, and nothing could be done.

Mr Sward subsequently spoke to the postie, who said there were definitely three dogs on the street on the day in question.

Mr Sward went back to council on Monday to say he had a witness who saw the dogs roaming the street.

Yesterday morning Mr Sward said he was still waiting to hear back from council.

Councillor Jill Evans addressed Oberon Council after its ordinary meeting on Tuesday night. 

She said she was aware staff were doing what they could, but more had to be done about pet control in Oberon. 

Cr Evans said council’s dog act was adopted in 2007 and she felt it had to be updated.

She also asked council to run a campaign – whether through the newspaper, on posters or flyers – to advise pet owners of their responsibilities.

Oberon Council’s general manager Alan Cairney told Cr Evans that management were looking at running a campaign. 

Cr Evans said she was happy with that, saying council “should be seen to be proactive and not reactive”.