By ALESHA CAPONE
MORE than 75 dog attacks on people and animals have been recorded by Hobsons Bay City Council across 12 months.
Statistics provided to Star show there were 29 dog attacks on people and 48 attacks on dogs and other animals during the 2011-’12 financial year.
This equates to an average of more than one dog attack every week across the municipality.
The council’s business and finance director Glenn O’Sullivan said the figures given to Star did not include “rushing and menacing reports”.
However he said there were no examples of severe dog attacks from the 77 cases reported during the year.
“From these incidents, nine cases were taken to court with three cases proved, two cases withdrawn and five cases finalised through paid fines,” he said.
“Three dogs were declared dangerous but not destroyed.”
During the month of July this year Hobsons Bay City Council also impounded 45 animals and issued 19 fines in relation to animal matters.
“The majority of the animals impounded were dogs and they were impounded for being at large,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
Mr O’Sullivan said 10 pet owners were fined for letting their animals roam around unsupervised.
“Dog owners must ensure their dogs are securely confined on their properties to minimise the possibility of dog attacks,” he said.
“All pets, regardless of their breed, must be properly socialised to ensure every resident’s right to feel safe is protected.
“Animal attacks are traumatic and pet owners are ultimately responsible for the actions of their animals.
Last month police arrested a man who attacked another dog owner at Apex Park in Altona.
The victim was allegedly walking his kelpie at the park when another dog attacked it.
When the man kicked the attacking canine to scare it away, the other dog’s owner allegedly punched him and knocked him to the ground in retaliation.
See www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au for more information about animal laws.
