A 55-year-old man has died after being attacked by his own dog at his rural property in Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia, on the morning of Sunday, July 12, 2026. Emergency services were called to the scene on Timor Road at approximately 10 a.m. following reports of a dog attack.
Details of the Incident
When police and paramedics arrived, they found the property owner with critical injuries. Despite receiving treatment at the scene, the man died shortly thereafter. The dog, described by officers as medium to large in size but of unknown breed, was euthanised by police at the location.
Investigation and Council Response
Authorities are preparing a report for the coroner to investigate the circumstances of the attack. The Warrumbungle Shire Council issued a statement extending its thoughts to everyone affected but declined to comment further, citing the active police investigation. The council had previously urged residents to report aggressive dog behaviour in April 2026, noting that in the shire, with a population of fewer than 10,000, approximately one dog attack is reported per month.
In a statement earlier this year, the council called on dog owners to “take responsibility for their dogs and help protect the community,” adding that “many recent incidents have occurred when dogs have been allowed to roam or have escaped from their owner’s property.” The council emphasised that “while you may believe your dog would not attack, situations can change quickly, especially when a dog is unsupervised or under stress.”
