A dog in Sherwood has been ordered to be euthanised after it killed two pet cats and was reported for becoming increasingly aggressive towards the community.
The incidents date back to April, when the Staffordshire Bull Terrier killed Jessie Lafferty-Delaney’s cat in front of her young son. She described the attack as brutal, with the dog grabbing the cat by the throat and mauling it.
The attack left her and her family living in fear for their safety, particularly concerned about what could happen if the dog turned its aggression toward children in the neighbourhood.
Another Sherwood resident reported that the same dog had killed her cat months earlier. She recalled physically restraining the dog while waiting for the owner to arrive and collect it. These repeated attacks prompted widespread concern among locals about the dog’s behaviour and its potential danger to both pets and people in the area.
Council Action and Owner Violations
Brisbane declared the dog dangerous in May, which required the owner to take specific steps to secure the animal. The dog was supposed to be kept in an approved enclosure, and any time it was outside, it had to wear a council-issued collar and muzzle. Despite these measures, Sherwood residents reported multiple sightings of the dog wandering in public without a muzzle, in direct violation of the council’s regulations.
The dog’s owner had been fined five times for failing to comply with the requirements set by the council. Despite these penalties, the violations continued, raising further alarm among the community.
Decision to Euthanise
After continued concerns from residents and media inquiries, Council issued an order to have the dog euthanised, citing community safety as the priority. Cr Sarah Hutton confirmed the decision, explaining that the owner had not taken the necessary steps to secure the dog, and further action was needed to protect Sherwood residents from potential harm.
The dog’s increasing aggression and failure to be properly restrained led to fears that the next victim could be a person, particularly a child. This prompted the council’s decision to take decisive action, despite multiple chances given to the owner to rectify the situation.
Published 22-Oct-2024
