By LAURA WAKELY
THE FAMILY of Ayen Chol hopes dog owners have learnt a lesson about responsible ownership after the death of their daughter last year.
Ayen was killed after a neighbours’ pit bull cross mauled her to death in her St Albans home.
The dog’s owner, 58-year-old Lazor Josevski, was given an $11,000 fine in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court last week.
Ayen’s parents Jacklin Ancaito and Mawien Monjan were supported by their family as Magistrate Martin Grinberg made his decision.
Mr Grinberg said he took into account Mr Josevski’s lack of criminal history and remorse, believing him to have “truly felt the enormity of the tragedy”.
New laws, introduced after Ayen’s death, mean a dog owner whose animal attacks, injures or kills a person can face penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
The court heard Ayen’s parents had experienced anxiety, nightmares and financial loss coupled with the grief of losing their only daughter.
Ayen’s mother remembered her as a “happy, beautiful girl” who was clever, friendly and loved.
She said seeing her daughter being mauled to death was indescribable and the images continued to haunt her.
“There are no words that can describe what it is like to bury your beautiful daughter,” Ms Ancaito said.
Speaking for the family outside the court, Slater & Gordon lawyer Ike Nwokolo said it was up to the community to make sure another death like Ayen’s was prevented.
“They (the Chol family) have a life that has been changed forever because of Ayen’s death and they want Ayen’s death to mean something,” Mr Nwokolo said.
“They want it to be a warning to all dog owners, especially those… with a restricted breed dog, to make sure that they take all precautions necessary to ensure that their dogs are not a danger to the community.”
He said Ayen would have been five years old and starting school this year and her death would be a life-long memory her parents would never forget.
Mr Nwokolo said the family would wait the outcome of a coronial inquest before taking civil action.
Mr Josevski did not comment.
A coronial inquest will take place on Monday 27 August.
