City calls for control as dog owner fined

The City of Albany has implored dog owners to take responsibility for their pets, revealing rangers receive more 100 reports of dogs attack each year.

In Albany Magistrate’s Court last week, the former owner of a dog was fined $1200 after pleading guilty to a charge related to an attack in November.

The owner had the dog euthanased after the attack.

It had already been declared a “dangerous dog” after a separate incident earlier last year.

City ranger team leader Colin Hyde said dog attacks could have serious consequences for the victims, the owners and the dogs themselves.

He said rangers could issue infringements of $400 to the owner or person in control of a dog at the time of attack.

The City could also pursue charges through court, with fines of up to $20,000 if it was a declared dangerous dog.

Police had the ability to lay further charges in serious cases.

“We receive far too many reports of dog attacks in our community and the last thing we want to see is someone maimed or killed because of a careless dog owner,” Mr Hyde said.

“If you are the owner or a person in control of a dog, the Dog Act holds you responsible for its actions.

“The potential outcome could be tragic and result in a far more serious penalty than a fine so we want to remind all owners to do the right thing.”

Mr Hyde said responsible dog ownership included ensuring pets were tethered, leashed or harnessed in a public place — unless it was a designated animal exercise area.

In designated exercise areas, owners should be able to control their dogs on command.

At home, they must ensure their dogs cannot escape and become a safety risk.