Dog owner fined and animal euthanised after January attacks in Gunnedah

A dog owner has been fined and the animal euthanised after two separate attacks in Gunnedah earlier this year.

Gunnedah Shire Council said three women were walking two male dogs (on leads) along Beulah Street, Gunnedah on Saturday, January 27, when three dogs escaped the yard of a nearby home.

One of the escapees attacked one of the dogs on a lead and inflicted minor injuries. Two of the women received minor injuries from falls while trying to fend off the attacking dog.

This dog attack was reported to Gunnedah Shire Council on Monday, January 29, and compliance officers commenced an investigation. Four days later, on the morning of Wednesday, January 31, a further report was received about a dog escaping from the same yard and attacking a dog being walked on a lead along Beulah Street.

More on Gunnedah shire dog attacks: Several years of data missing on Gunnedah shire dog attacks – Gunnedah Times

Council compliance officers later that day seized a three-year-old Sharpei x Cattle Dog from a Gunnedah home. The owner of the attacking dog was issued with a fine of $1320 and the owner elected to have the dog humanely euthanised by a veterinarian.

Had the dog owner not chosen this option, council said it may have issued a notice of declaration of a dangerous dog which carries conditions including a fully enclosed yard built to prescribed conditions, muzzling, annual inspections and property signage.

The owner of two dogs that escaped the yard at the same time as each attack was issued with fines totalling $440 and is subject to an order from council to erect fencing that prevents the dogs escaping the property.

In response to the incident, council’s manager of community safety Wade Berryman said: “It is imperative that all dog owners take responsibility for ensuring that their pets cannot escape their yard by jumping, climbing, or digging out.”

“Any dog is capable of attacking, biting, or harassing other animals and people that are going about their business in public places. Similarly, dog owners should not deliberately release their dogs from their yard at any time of the day or night to roam uncontrolled and unsupervised defecating, knocking over bins, and generally disturbing the neighbourhood.

“Dogs that are not under control in public places, will be seized and as well as any council fees and charges applicable, fines may be issued,” he said.