By LAURA WAKELY
A DOG that mauled a toddler in Hillside last weekend has been put down.
A three-year-old girl was attacked by a family pet, an Alaskan malamute, at around 1pm on Sunday 17 June.
The girl was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with facial injuries.
Melton Shire Council’s Compliance Manager Ian Stewart said the dog, which was unregistered, was taken to the council pound the next day on request of the owner.
Mr Stewart said the owner had to sign over the dog to council to euthanase as it attacked a child and caused injury.
The incident comes as the council embarks on a crackdown on unregistered pets to bring owners in line with legislation.
Council officers will doorknock homes to ensure every dog or cat over three months old have been registered.
Animals that are being registered for the first time or have moved from another municipality must also be micro-chipped.
The owner of an unregistered dog or cat found during the door knock could receive a penalty of $239 per animal.
Dog registration fees are up to $120, with discounts for pensioner’s dogs and no costs for guide dogs, while cat registration fees are up to $44.
For information on animal registration contact council on 9747 7200 or visit www.melton.vic.gov.au
