Police are investigating after a man stabbed and killed a Labrador in a Mirrabooka park on Wednesday in full view of its owner.
The 22-year-old local woman was exercising four-year-old Luna and her male Labrador in a park off Apple Blossom Drive at 6pm when the alleged attack occurred.
"I made them sit then took them off their leads," she told media on Thursday afternoon.
"They saw this person and [ran over].
"Within a split second Luna was on the floor but I thought she was submitting, wanting to play. He bent down, I thought he was getting his dog."
The owner, who asked not to be identified, said she did not hear any sounds that suggested trouble. She jogged towards the man to say hello and to check her dog had not bothered him, but he walked away fast as her male dog began to bark at him. She began to think something was wrong.
"I followed the man a bit to ... ask if we could talk," she said.
"He was just mumbling, I couldn't understand and I couldn't see his face. I thought it was really strange, I didn't want to push. So I just grabbed my dog. He picked his dog up and he jumped the fence.
"I picked my dog up and I went to find Luna who I thought would have been just sniffing around somewhere.
"I got to her and there was blood all over her."
Luna died soon afterwards at the veterinary hospital.
Mirrabooka Police are looking for a tall, white-skinned man with a light-coloured beard, wearing a tan-coloured hoodie and dark pants.
Anyone who who was in the area at the time or has any information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestopperswa.com.au.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia has offered a reward up to $5000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of anyone who may have been responsible for this horrific crime.