By Mitchell Clarke
A 19 year old Berwick man has been charged after he allegedly killed a family dog and stabbed a man during a crime spree through a Berwick neighbourhood.
Police were called to a property on Collins Crescent on Saturday 11 January, just after 3.30pm, responding to reports of a stabbing incident which sent the street into lockdown.
It’s understood the accused man broke into a property and allegedly stabbed the small family dog to death.
The dog’s owner, Nick, surname withheld, told the Gazette he was in the backyard when the man gained entry to his house and murdered his dog, who was inside at the time.
“I’m absolutely devastated about it,” he said.
“She was such a beautiful little dog.”
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the offender left the house and attempted to steal a car from a neighbouring property before he was approached by Nick’s neighbours, a man and woman, both believed to be in their 50s.
The residents reportedly “pinned” the accused to the ground where they were joined by Nick, who heard the commotion and came outside to assist.
The trio were able to overpower the man, holding him until police arrived, but it wasn’t without incident, with four people being transported to hospital.
The man in his 50s received “severe” lacerations to his face and will require surgery, while the woman was reportedly concussed and suffered minor injuries.
Nick received a hand injury from the ordeal and was discharged from hospital Sunday night.
He said 20 police officers and four ambulances responded to the scene.
“Everyone needs to lock their doors and keep an eye out for one another,” he said.
“This was a random thing that happened and it’s something that you never think will happen to you.”
A neighbour told the Herald Sun he didn’t believe his neighbours were targeted.
“They’re awesome neighbours, this is really surprising and confronting,” he said.
“Nothing has happened like this in the past in our area, there have been no dramas.”
It’s understood the alleged offender also sustained minor injuries during the scuffle and was taken to hospital, where he remained under police guard.
Investigators have since charged the man with burglary, serious assault, intentionally cause serious injury and aggravated cruelty to animal and others.
He was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday 13 January.
