A PREVELLY man will have to pay $5000 as a result of a dog attack in 2014.
The attack occurred on August 12 when the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog escaped the man’s property with a second dog and attacked a small wiry-haired terrier on private property.
Shire of Augusta Margaret River acting ranger coordinator Alison Scott said the attacking dog was declared dangerous prior to the incident.
She said it was also not being kept in an approved enclosure which was required under the Dog Act.
“This was a very serious incident and extremely traumatic for everyone involved,” Ms Scott said.
“I again plead with residents to please be responsible pet owners and consider the implications your actions have for others.
The man caring for the dog was fined $2000 and ordered to pay $3000 in costs at Busselton Magistrate Court on Tuesday.
Ms Scott reminded all dog owners that keeping their dog under effective control was a matter of courtesy and respect for other community members.
“Exercise your dog on a lead, keep out of prohibited areas and secure your fences and gates,” she said.
“If you are in a designated dog exercise area without a lead, make sure your dog remains under effective control and responds to your commands.
“The personality of dogs can change when they are not around their owners.
“Dogs will often assert dominance when frightened or challenged.
“It is also common for dogs that are left wandering to gain a sense of ownership for the area and grow to become more protective and aggressive towards other people or animals in that precinct.
“It can have very serious, and even fatal, consequences.”
A list of dog exercise areas can be found at www.amrshire.wa.gov.au
