BY NATALIE GALLENTI
A COUNCIL officer was mauled by a pitbull in Sydenham last week, as a council insider revealed workers are being exposed to dangerous situations due to inadequate staff numbers and training.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, said the council officer mauled in Sydenham was a prime example of the council endangering the lives of their staff.
The source told Star a Brimbank Council prosecutions officer, with limited training in animal welfare and only armed with a dog lead, was sent out to a Sydenham property to collect a pitbull that was being surrendered by its owner only days before the amnesty on restricted dog breeds came to an end.
The officer suffered hand and chest wounds and was taken to the hospital.
The dog was later euthanised.
The insider said five other people were at the property when the dog attacked the officer, but all ran for cover, leaving the victim to fend for himself.
She said since the introduction of new legislation that will see owners of declared dangerous, menacing or restricted breed dogs serve up to 10 years in jail if their dog kills another person, the council had received an influx of calls from worried dog owners either enquiring about the new laws or surrendering their animal.
She said the council could not cope with the demand.
“There’s not enough staff. The council are massively behind. I’m amazed that they are not providing training to council officers.”
Another worried employee blamed inadequate staff numbers to “cost-cutting” and told Star after an incident three years ago when two animal management officers were attacked by a dog and subsequently forced to resign, the council had not employed more rangers.
“People get very emotive when it comes to their animals,” the employee said.
“There’s a huge workload and staff need training.”
Stephen Sully, Brimbank Council general manager of city development, said the officer that was attacked had previously been an animal management officer and had extensive experience and formal qualifications in this field.
“He was assisting the ranger on the day in capturing another dog that was wandering at large. The rangers are experiencing a heavy workload at the moment, with all compliance staff assisting, based on their level of training and experience,” Mr Sully said.
Mr Sully said councils across Melbourne were experiencing an increased demand for services due to the new legislation and an additional animal management officer commenced employment with the council last Friday.
He said in Brimbank alone there had been six pitbulls registered, 25 pitbull crosses registered and four restricted breed dogs surrendered.
As of last Friday all restricted breed dogs such as pitbull terriers must be registered, desexed, microchipped, and kept in a secure, escape-proof enclosure with warning signs.
Dangerous dogs were put in to the spotlight after the tratgic death of four-year-old Ayen Chol.
The St Albans child was mauled to death in her living room in front of family by a rogue dog.
