Ayen Chol Picture: Facebook
By Natalie Gallenti
BRIMBANK Council has vowed to work closely with the State Government as it looked to toughen penalties for owners of dangerous dogs, after the tragic death of four-year-old Ayen Chol.
Less than 24 hours after the St Albans child was mauled to death by a pitbull, Premier Ted Baillieu expressed his condolences to the family and pledged to toughen the crimes act to impose criminal penalties and possible jail terms to the owners of dangerous dogs, as well as arming councils with resources to track down unregistered animals.
Under current legislation dog owners can only be hit with a $4500 penalty, regardless of the severity of the case.
Brimbank Council CEO Nick Foa welcomed the proposal to review State legislation and said the circumstances surrounding the preschooler’s death could only be described as “absolutely tragic”.
Mr Foa said the council was working closely with Victoria Police and liaising with the Department of Human Services to provide any support to the family during this terrible time.
He confirmed that Victoria Police would determine what charges they will lay against the owner of the dog once they completed their investigation.
The dog was handed over to the council last Thursday and euthanised less than 24 hours after the attack.
It was not registered with the council and records indicate that no complaints had been received about the animal.
In Victoria, a pitbull cross is not considered a restricted breed and further testing is required to determine the exact breed of the dog.
However the Government is considering changes reversing the onus of proof of a dangerous dog breed onto the animal’s owners.
Currently, under the domestic animals act the onus is on authorities to prove a dog is a certain breed.
The Government will also introduce a ‘dob in a dangerous dog’ hotline, to enable the public to alert the council if there is a suspect dog in their neighbourhood.
Mr Foa dismissed claims that Brimbank was a hotspot for the dangerous breeds, saying the council had strong local laws forcing pet owners to register their animals and even held an annual doorknock campaign to find any unregistered dogs.
Brimbank has 13,355 dogs registered, including 50 of the 243 dangerous dogs that are on the State’s dangerous dog register. According to the council, most are guard dogs patrolling the large number of factories and industrial estates in the area.
Kidsafe, an organisation dedicated to the prevention of unintentional death and injury to children, said the tragedy was a timely reminder about the potential dangers of dogs and young children.
Melanie Water, state manager of Kidsafe Victoria, also welcomed the State Government’s announcement.
“A line has to be drawn in the sand somewhere, and there is no place for such animals in areas where children are located,” Ms Water said.
Research from Monash University Accident Research Centre revealed that on average in Victoria, one child is taken to the hospital as a result of an injury from a dog attack each day.
DOGS Victoria president Peter Frost called on dog owners to educate themselves on their responsibilities not only to their own family but the community.
“DOGS Victoria does not believe in judging a dog based on its breed alone. However, just as when an individual person commits a crime and goes to jail, when an individual dog displays aggressive behaviour it should be dealt with immediately,” Mr Frost said.
