A dog owner has been fined $4000 and banned from owning a dog for three years after her two dogs harassed and attacked people while roaming about uncontrolled last year.
The offender, a woman from Busselton, was found guilty and fined under the Dog Act in relation to several attacks which occurred in November and December last year.
The Busselton Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday, March 7, the woman’s two dogs, a male unsterilized Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Bulldog and a Chihuahua cross Jack Russell were allowed to roam uncontrolled over a number of days last year.
Both dogs harassed and attacked several people without causing injury, while one person was bitten on the wrist.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Bulldog was surrendered and euthanized while the Chihuahua cross Jack Russell has been re-homed interstate.
The City of Busselton reports prior to this particular case, the woman owned another Bull Mastiff that had also attacked people several times causing injury.
In relation to this previous offence, the woman was found guilty in the Busselton Magistrates Court of allowing the Bull Mastiff to attack causing injury.
The Bull Mastiff was declared to be a dangerous dog and was eventually seized and destroyed.
City of Busselton senior prosecutions and policy officer Owen Anderton urged dog owners to practice responsible ownership.
“This is a timely warning for anyone who has a dog to ensure it is kept under effective control at all times,” Mr Anderton said.
“The Dog Act now allows for dog owners who have been previously convicted of two or more offences against the Dog Act, to be banned from owning a dog permanently or for a specified period.
“The City of Busselton supports the magistrate’s decision which sends a clear message to dog owners that our community will not tolerate uncontrolled and aggressive dogs.”
