Dog Owners - You are Warned.

[alnjan]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/dog-owner-fined-15000-after-elderly-mans-leg-mauled/story-fnn8dlfs-1227119934519

Dog owner fined $15,000 after elderly man's leg mauled.

A GREY nomad whose dog mauled an elderly man's leg has been slapped a severe fine in a test case that sends a warning to pet owners.

Janet Todd Walker, 68, was the owner of Benny, a male german shepherd that should have been wearing a muzzle and was declared dangerous, when he attacked an 81-year-old pedestrian on the Sunshine Coast.

The wound to victim David Rowlands' left calf was described as so "vicious" it could have claimed his life and was classified in Caloundra Magistrates Court as grievous bodily harm.  It's believed to be the first successful case in Queensland in which a council has pursued an injury of grievous bodily harm against a dog owner, rather than the lesser bodily harm.  Mrs Walker, a NSW pensioner with no previous convictions, was fined $15,000 under the Animal Management Act - which has a maximum $34,000 penalty.

The court heard Mrs Walker's 10-year-old black and tan shepherd had a history of dangerous attacks in its home state of NSW and had previously bitten a woman on the leg and twice bitten small dogs.  It had been declared dangerous by the Greater Taree Council, requiring Janet and David Walker, 73, to display a sign on their fenced property, buy a dangerous dog collar and use a muzzle.

Benny (the dog) was euthanased after a council investigation uncovered its history.

[GUEY]

Will just give people another reason not to register their dogs unfortunately.
If it's not registered it will be a case of "Sorry officer, not my dog"

[raider]

Can't say she wasn't warned. On a side note I wouldn't mind being on an $880 per week pension when I get to that age.

[xcvator]

Pity that the owners didn't get put down as well

[sol]

As far as I'm concerned throw the book at them!!
3 years ago I was attacked by a Bull Arab/Bull Mastiff cross weighing 69kilos.
All I was doing was walking down the street and from nowhere this dog came at me and grabbed my right arm and tore it open and knocked me to the ground. It came at me again punctured my lung, broke 2 ribs and all this time I'm punching it in the mouth and head. It only stopped when I managed to smash a few teeth. The scariest thing I've ever been through.

     

[dazzler]

Will just give people another reason not to register their dogs unfortunately.
If it's not registered it will be a case of "Sorry officer, not my dog"

Well there are many ways to skin a cat, or prove ownership.  Most DCA's have a definition for ownership and rego is only one part.

[GUEY]

Excuse my ignorance.  DCA?

[dazzler]

Hi Guey

Dog Control Act's

They are all much of a muchness around the country.

[GUEY]

Hi Guey

Dog Control Act's

They are all much of a muchness around the country.

Thanks dazzler.

[Bird]

Excuse my ignorance.  DCA?

Dangerous **** of an Animal

[scarpsD40]

Pity that the owners didn't get put down as well

my Scottish Wolfhound nearly choked to death on an Alsatian a year or so ago. Scot's - always picking fights with bigger blokes:-)

[gronk]

Can't say she wasn't warned. On a side note I wouldn't mind being on an $880 per week pension when I get to that age.

Think that would be for a couple...$440 each a FORTNIGHT would be more like it though !!  so, $880 a fortnight !!

[gronk]

my Scottish Wolfhound nearly choked to death on an Alsatian a year or so ago. Scot's - always picking fights with bigger blokes:-)

You're kidding......they look like a mangy haired horse !!!   

[scarpsD40]

You're kidding......they look like a mangy haired horse !!!   

yep, I am

[Curytntm]

Why own such a dog. I will never understand why people don't want friendly dogs. Why have a dog that needs to be restrained if it was a person they would be locked up.

The dog owner should  be charged with assault as well.

[BBwilly]

Why own such a dog. I will never understand why people don't want friendly dogs. Why have a dog that needs to be restrained if it was a person they would be locked up.

The dog owner should  be charged with assault as well.

Bloody stupid if you ask me.

[rockman]

Why own such a dog. I will never understand why people don't want friendly dogs. Why have a dog that needs to be restrained if it was a person they would be locked up.

The dog owner should  be charged with assault as well.

perhaps people have guard dogs due to the fact that the amount of scum that wish to steal / break & enter or worse , they see a dog of size and it will deter most ...

I am 1 such person that has 2 guard dogs behind my fenced property , signs warning you about entering the private property ...
I trust my dogs with my children , I also trust my dogs that they will do their job and protect my family & property when I am not home .

Each to their own , if you want to own a little bitsa yappy dog , great , but dont critize people that own larger dogs for a reason that you dont understand .

[Footy Shorts Shane]

Each to their own , if you want to own a little bitsa yappy dog , great , but dont critize people that own larger dogs for a reason that you dont understand .

[xcvator]

perhaps people have guard dogs due to the fact that the amount of scum that wish to steal / break & enter or worse , they see a dog of size and it will deter most ...

I am 1 such person that has 2 guard dogs behind my fenced property , signs warning you about entering the private property ...
I trust my dogs with my children , I also trust my dogs that they will do their job and protect my family & property when I am not home .

Each to their own , if you want to own a little bitsa yappy dog , great , but dont critize people that own larger dogs for a reason that you dont understand .

Think, maybe you should go back and read the original post 

[rockman]

Think, maybe you should go back and read the original post 

i did ... i was refering to Curytntm's post

[alnjan]

What it comes down to is regardless of what breed of dog (or pet) you have and travel with you are responsible for that dog ( or pet).

We have had a number of German Shepherds over the years and as we wish to travel with a dog, we now have a Red Cattle dog.  When we take the dogs out they have collars on and on a leash. 

I maintain there is no such thing as a dangerous dog, just dangerous owners.  I have been bitten more by hand bag dogs than larger dogs. 

[dazzler]

perhaps people have guard dogs due to the fact that the amount of scum that wish to steal / break & enter or worse , they see a dog of size and it will deter most ...

I am 1 such person that has 2 guard dogs behind my fenced property , signs warning you about entering the private property ...
I trust my dogs with my children , I also trust my dogs that they will do their job and protect my family & property when I am not home .

Each to their own , if you want to own a little bitsa yappy dog , great , but dont critize people that own larger dogs for a reason that you dont understand .

HI Rockman

Agree with all your comments except trusting your dogs with your children.  I have seen a lot of kids mauled by their parents dogs.  They always trusted them.  They are an animal with an animal brain and really only fear the head dog which is you.   The rest are instinctively fair game.  They are just other dogs in the pack.

[rockman]

HI Rockman

Agree with all your comments except trusting your dogs with your children.  I have seen a lot of kids mauled by their parents dogs.  They always trusted them.  They are an animal with an animal brain and really only fear the head dog which is you.   The rest are instinctively fair game.  They are just other dogs in the pack.

I do agree Dazzler , the breed I have are known for their guarding ability for family and or property . I have had this breed for quite a while now , on saying that I have seen the same breed being that full-on , I could not go anywhere near them .
If i considered that either my dogs show any form of aggression towards my kids , they would be shot , I would not tolerate a savage dog .

[loanrangie]

What it comes down to is regardless of what breed of dog (or pet) you have and travel with you are responsible for that dog ( or pet).

We have had a number of German Shepherds over the years and as we wish to travel with a dog, we now have a Red Cattle dog.  When we take the dogs out they have collars on and on a leash. 

I maintain there is no such thing as a dangerous dog, just dangerous owners.  I have been bitten more by hand bag dogs than larger dogs.

Thats true but i'd rather be bitten by a lapdog than a ridgeback or similar, if you have a dog that is trained as a guard dog then it shouldnt be in public spaces muzzled or otherwise.

[sschmez]

........ if you have a dog that is trained as a guard dog then it shouldnt be in public spaces muzzled or otherwise.

WRONG

properly trained guard dogs won't indiscriminately bite, they are trained to assess a threat and react accordingly.

-they've probably had more time socialising in public spaces and are less of a threat than your usual backyard dog.