By Alesha Capone
A Wyndham Vale man has been banned from owning a dog for 10 years, after his three American Staffordshire terriers killed another dog in an attack earlier this year.
The man had left his dogs in the care of his daughter, who was walking them in a Manor Lakes park located at the corner of Manor Lakes and Dalrymple boulevards on May 12, when they attacked a passing border collie.
The man’s daughter and the owner of the border collie were unable to overpower the Staffordshire terriers.
The council’s manager of city amenity and safety, Richard Maugueret, said the Staffordshire terriers were on a lead but one slipped its collar and that its two companions “broke free of their handler”.
Wyndham council’s environment and sustainability portfolio holder, Cr Heather Marcus, described the attack as “extremely vicious”.She said the council “acted swiftly” after the incident and seized the three terriers.
The owner of the dogs has since appealed the council’s decision to have them put down.The matter will be subject to an independent review, in accordance with the council’s Guidelines to Destruction of Dogs Policy.
The dogs, two males and one female aged between three and six years of age, will remain in the council’s custody until a final decision is made.
Cr Marcus said the dog’s owner had previously been issued with minor infringements and “had been warned about keeping his dogs under control”.
She said that following the attack, the council charged both the man and his daughter with a total of six counts of owning an animal that attacks and bites, resulting in the death of an animal.
“Due to his history of irresponsible behaviour and this latest attack, council applied through the Magistrates Court for the man to receive a 10-year ban from owning a dog,” Cr Marcus said.
“The court granted the full 10-year ban, which is believed to be the longest ever handed down in Wyndham.”
The court also issued the man and his adult daughter with fines totalling $7220.25.
Cr Marcus said that the Domestic Animal Management Act gave councils the power to confiscate dangerous dogs.
“At the end of the day, it is our job to ensure the community is safe and this latest successful legal action has ensured that at least this irresponsible pet owner will not be able to have another dog for a long time,” Cr Marcus said.
