An elderly man who was hospitalised following a dog attack is one of hundreds of victims savaged by dogs in Wyndham in the past three years.
The man, who was attacked while walking, was rushed to hospital with significant injuries.
The dog’s owner was taken to Werribee Magistrates Court and banned from owning a dog for eight years. The offending dog was put down.
The case is just one of 580 dog attacks reported to Wyndham council since July, 2012.
This financial year alone, 185 attacks have been reported to the council, and six dogs have been put down since July, 2013.
Fifteen dangerous or restricted-breed dogs registered with the council include blue heelers, Siberian huskies, rottweilers, Staffordshire terriers, boxers and German shepherds.
The council has welcomed a parliamentary inquiry into current laws surrounding dangerous dogs and restricted breeds in Victoria.
The state government’s economy and infrastructure committee will consider whether current laws encourage responsible dog ownership and protect both the community and the environment.
The inquiry will also recommend proposed changes to the Domestic Animals Act 1994 with regards to the current moratorium on the destruction of restricted-breed dogs.
Committee chairman Joshua Morris said the tragic death of four-year-old St Albans girl Ayen Chol from a dog attack in 2011 highlighted the need for laws to ensure public safety.
“There have been well-documented cases of serious, and occasionally fatal, dog attacks which have led to calls for stronger action from government,” Mr Morris said.
“It is the committee’s intention to find a balance between ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated and protecting the rights of responsible dog owners.”
Wyndham corporate services director Steve Lambert said clarity was needed within the current legislation to appropriately determine the definition of a restricted-breed dog and other matters.
“There are significant gaps within the current legislation that make enforcement and management of the legislation challenging on a day to day basis, such as holding animals during court proceedings,” Mr Lambert said.
