Court issues hefty fine after dog attack on boy

Noosa Council is putting all irresponsible dog owners on notice following a successful prosecution in the Noosa Magistrates Court.

The warning comes as a Tewantin woman received an $8000 fine in court for a dog attack last year, which left a six-year-old boy severely injured.

Council takes responsible pet ownership seriously and will not hesitate to pursue legal action in the event of dog attacks, says Council’s Local Laws Manager Phil Amson.

Mr Amson says this incident, in which the dog mauled the boy’s leg, leaving him traumatised and with serious injuries, could have been prevented.

“Responsible pet ownership can be as simple as making sure gates are closed to stop dogs wandering the street, or by keeping dogs leashed around other animals or people,” he said.

“In this case, the magistrate agreed the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack. The dog’s owner was running an unapproved dog minding service and the boy and his family arrived at the house to retrieve their own dog when the boy was attacked,” he said.

The magistrate took little time to find the dog’s owner guilty, noting that the boy’s injuries amounted to grievous bodily harm. He dismissed claims the boy provoked the attack.

“This prosecution demonstrates both Council’s commitment to enforcing responsible pet ownership and the seriousness with which the courts deal with dog attacks,” Mr Amson said

Council has prosecuted numerous irresponsible pet owners through the courts.

In one incident, a Sunshine Beach dog owner was fined $1500 and ordered to pay $1900 in professional costs for a dog attack at Sunshine Beach, in which a woman and her small breed dog were injured.

Dog owners who allow their pets to wander also face fines in excess of $230, plus impoundment charges.

“Dangerous dogs have no place in our community and it is every dog owner’s responsibility to ensure their animal does not pose a risk to other people or animals.”

7 March 2018