Court Comes Down on Irresponsible Dog Handler
Published 13 July 2021
A professional dog walker has been fined $2,500 by the Caboolture Magistrates Court after she was found to be responsible for allowing 10 dogs to roam free in the Rocksberg Heritage Reserve where they viciously attacked livestock.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery said he was pleased that justice was served as Council continues to crackdown on dangerous dog owners.
“This shows that not even professional animal handlers are above the law and if you flout Council’s local laws you will be punished in the Magistrates Court,” he said.
“Council rangers discovered the pack of dogs attacking a cow in the Caboolture River within the Rocksberg Heritage Reserve which is clearly signed as a dog on-leash area.
“The dog handler was roughly 300 metres away from the dogs at the time and had absolutely no control over her animals as they roamed free and attacked the livestock.
“The Council rangers intervened and ended the attack on the poor cow, but it could have been much worse if they weren’t there.
“If these animals are capable of attacking a large animal like a cow, imagine what dangerous dogs could do to your child, other dogs or other domesticated animals like cats.
“Most dog owners are responsible animal lovers, but if left in the wrong hands dangerous dogs can destroy lives and leave mental scarring that lasts a lifetime.
“I hope this makes dog owners think about the people they’re leaving their beloved animals with and accreditation doesn’t mean they’re responsible.
“I applaud the Magistrate for fining the dog handler in this instance and this is just one of four we’ve sent to be dealt with in the courts so let this be a further warning to dangerous dog owners.
“Council is currently undergoing a local laws review which will look at how many dogs a person is allowed to handle in a public space, because of situations like this.”
The matter was finalised in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on 23 June 2021. The professional walker was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay costs of $108 with no conviction recorded.
You can participate in the local laws review by providing your feedback via Council’s website: https://yoursay.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/local-laws-review