A dog that brutally mauled the face of a six-year-old girl, leaving permanent scars and ripping out a tooth, has been spared death.
In a May 27 hearing at the Ballarat Magistrates Court, the dog’s three owners, Stuart, Denise and Anthony Wilson, were found guilty of owning a dog that caused serious injury.
The prize-winning kelpie, named “Mack”, attacked the girl at the Wilsons’ Balliang farm on June 22 last year. The Wilsons, who are grandparents and uncle of the victim, must pay nearly $12,000 for the dog’s pound costs, a $2000 fine each and court costs.
However, the magistrate refused to sentence “Mack” to death, leaving Moorabool council to impose conditions for the owners before their pet is returned to them.
In making his decision, magistrate Peter Mithen took into account that the Wilsons had no prior convictions and had a good standing in the community.
In a closed session on June 4, Moorabool councillors voted to place restrictions on the dog, including keeping it in a secure location and having it muzzled when it is not working and when there are visitors at the property.
Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell said community safety was paramount, which was why the council vigorously pursued the matter through the court.
“This case should serve as a reminder to animal owners to supervise their animals properly, particularly if they mix with children.”
The council had originally requested that the dog be put down.
“Current legislation is really wide-eyed when it comes to working dogs,” said Cr Tatchell.
“We need to put a policy in place so we can deal with working dogs. We live in a rural region so the problem may come up again.”
Moorabool council will now prepare a contract to set out the exact conditions and terms of Mack’s return. If the owners fail to agree to the conditions within 14 days, “Mack” will be declared a dangerous dog.
