By NATALIE GALLENTI
DOG attacks were the focus of a residents’ group meeting in Diggers Rest last week.
President of the Cambridge, Coburn and Watts Residents Association Nathan Miles told Star at the meeting residents discussed the recent dog attack in Toolern Vale and their continuing dismay at what they perceive as weak Melton City Council dog laws.
Mr Miles said residents would be calling for tougher restrictions on dog owners at an upcoming council meeting, and even one attack was one too many.
“If people are not going to be responsible, well it’s unacceptable,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what breed of dog you own, every dog needs to be obediently trained, and owners need to be made responsible.”
Melton City Council compliance manager Ian Stewart said over the last 12 months the council had prosecuted 15 matters relating to dog attacks that had occurred within the municipality.
“Council’s preference is to prosecute these matters if there is sufficient evidence to lay a charge, but victims or witnesses need to be willing to pursue the matters through the courts,” Mr Stewart said.
Often, it is impossible to prosecute without witness statements that identify the dog.
“We do have situations where the victim does not want council to pursue the matter if the attacking dog is removed from the community and any costs (usually vet bills) paid.”
