Ballajura dog owner pleads guilty over dog attacks on cats

A BALLAJURA dog owner has pleaded guilty to a dog attack charge linked to cat deaths last year.

The owner faced Midland Magistrates Court on October 6 in relation to two dog attack incidents in Ballajura, which occurred in November and December 2015.

Community Newspaper Group previously reported there were at least 22 cat attacks in Ballajura during the last three months of 2015.

City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley said the dog owner received penalties and costs against them worth $9259.

“A destruction order was given, however the order was remitted by the Magistrate on the basis that strict conditions related to the management of the dog were adhered to, including a new dog owner being responsible for the dog,” he said.

“If the dog is involved in any further attacks or fails to comply with conditions of the control order, the destruction order will be acted upon immediately without appeal option.”

Mr Foley said the City responded to more than 80 reports on average each year in Ballajura and there was an increase in dog-on-other-animal reports to 20 cases in 2015-16.

“There are a range of dog attack categories including dog on person, on dog, on other animal,” he said.

“These attacks range from rushing at people to attacks which cause serious injury.

“In many instances the dog is part of the family or known to the victim, this can make the investigative process difficult at times, across the spectrum of matters classed as dog attacks.”

Mr Foley said there were currently 1908 registered dogs in Ballajura and issues regarding animal attacks were proportionate to the number of dogs living in the suburb.

“The City of Swan takes its responsibilities under the Dog Act (1976) seriously and matters related to dogs, in particular dog attacks and dog wandering matters are responded to as a priority by the Community Safety Advocate team, who work daily in Ballajura and across the City,” he said.

“Whilst the City conducts proactive patrols of Ballajura,if residents identify a dog related concern please report these to the City via 9267 9267.”