Shire of Denmark successfully prosecutes Denmark locals for two dog attacks

Two Denmark residents have been fined for separate dog attacks in which one dog died after it was attacked at Lights Beach in February. The first attack occurred on July 8 2023 at a private home when a friend of the dog owner was attacked by a German shepherd, sustaining lacerations to their face and arm and requiring an overnight stay in hospital. The Shire prosecuted the owner of the German shepherd in the Albany Magistrates Court, successfully arguing for harsher penalties. The owner was ordered to pay a $4700 fine and $4531 in court costs, and a two-year remitted destruction order for the German shepherd was made. The second attack occurred on February 13 at Lights Beach while a couple were walking their two dogs. They were attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers that were not under control, and during the attack one of the couple’s dogs was killed. The Shire again prosecuted the person responsible for the two Staffordshire bull terriers, and they were ordered to pay a $1200 fine and $1025 in court fees. A spokesperson for the Shire of Denmark said reports of dog attacks had increased since COVID-19 hit in 2020. Shire of Denmark chief executive officer David King said the ranger services team would continue to treat dog attacks seriously, and urged dog owners to remember their responsibility always to have proper control over their pets or risk penalties. An online reporting form is available at www.denmark.wa.gov.au for reporting nuisance pets or dog attacks.