Community News - providing readers with the very latest in local news, sport, entertainment and more.
Camera IconCommunity News - providing readers with the very latest in local news, sport, entertainment and more. Credit: Community News

Waroona woman granted spent conviction after dogs were shot while attacking alpacas

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

TWO dogs were shot in Waroona while they were attacking a herd of alpacas it was heard in Mandurah Magistrates Court today.

Kera Lee Muir pleaded guilty to having a dog in a place without consent and being liable for a dog that attacked an animal.

The prosecutor for the Shire of Waroona told the court that a Mr and Mrs Martelli were asleep at their property on Hill Street in Waroona around 12am on June 16 when a neighbour banged on their door alerting them to two dogs attacking their three alpacas.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The dogs were later identified as Ms Muir’s two dogs, Jax and Zed.

Mr Martelli tried to shoo the dogs away, but they continued the attack.

“He returned to his house, got his gun and promptly euthanised the dogs,” the prosecution said.

The prosecution told the court it is lawful to put down attacking dogs.

The duty lawyer representing the accused told the court the dogs were young in age – three-and-a-half and 18 months old respectively.

She said Ms Muir secured and checked her gate before going to bed, but found it open the next morning.

“It’s been very traumatic for her, losing the dogs,” the duty lawyer said.

“She cannot envision them doing this, she was very surprised as they were well socialised and brought up with cats.”

The duty lawyer applied for a spent conviction, which was granted.

Ms Muir was ordered to pay $176 to the Martellis for a vet bill.

She was placed on a conditional release order for eight months.