Beloved rescue dog shot dead after attacking family

A dog rescued by a family only a month ago has been shot dead after attacking them.

Steven Quayle suffered a deep gash to his neck and chin, and puncture wounds to his arms after blue heeler, Ace, turned on his Perth family.

"He just came through that door like he wanted to kill me," Mr Quale said.

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"He lunged at me, and went for my throat.

"I've never heard my wife scream like that and we've been married for 28 years."

Michelle Quayle said it was "horrific".

"I've never been so scared in my life, just to see the dog lunge at Steve, at my daughter and at me," she said.

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"There was just blood, blood everywhere, it was a bloodbath."

The dog had recently been de-sexed, which could have been a possible trigger for the attack.

The surgery cone might have stopped the attack being worse, the family believed.

"If he hadn't of had that collar, he would have ripped my throat out," Ms Quayle said.

The parents and their 18-year-old daughter barricaded themselves behind a door as they called for help.

Ian Francis from Rockingham Police said an officer was nearby and went to the house.

The owners told him to shoot the animal.

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Ace was only rescued a month ago, but was loved by the family.

The RSPCA is warning dog owners to be keep watch on anxiety triggers.

"Any kind of stress can certainly cause abnormal reactions in animals," Hannah Dreaver from RSPCA WA said.