GEELONG COUNCIL TOOK MY DINGOES:
THE future of two dingoes seized by council officers from a Corio home looks likely to be decided in a courtroom.
The pure-bred dingoes were taken from the Coleraine Crescent property last week, after an incident involving a wheelchair-bound resident and his dog.
The council’s planning and development director, Kelvin Walsh, confirmed yesterday the dog had died as a result of injuries sustained in the attack.
“Our investigation continues but as this incident has resulted in the death of an animal, the matter is likely to be prosecuted in the Magistrates’ Court,” Mr Walsh said.
“We are likely to pursue a ‘dangerous dog’ declaration against one or both of the dingoes, which will require their owner to comply with improved control, housing and containment of the animals.”
The pair are being held at Geelong Animal Welfare Society’s shelter in Moolap.
“The dingoes cannot be returned to their owner until court proceedings are finalised,” Mr Walsh said.
“Community safety is a priority for the city and something we take extremely seriously.”
Owner Robyn Beaton is racing to regain control of her dingoes, having cared for them under a private wildlife licence since 2015.
Ms Beaton disputes the council’s legal interpretation and believes they overstepped the mark in seizing her animals.
“I have a registered permit issued under the wildlife act. They are not required to be registered by the council and they are not classified as a domestic breed of dog,” she said.
“A dingo is not a dog under the Domestic Animal Management Act, so they didn’t have the authority to seize them.”
As she prepares to leave Geelong for a fresh start in southwest Victoria, Ms Beaton is also concerned about how her dingoes are being held at GAWS.
She claims they are kept in separate cages and she is not allowed to have contact with them for “her own safety”.
“Our investigation continues but as this incident has resulted in the death of an animal, the matter is likely to be prosecuted in the Magistrates’ Court.” KELVIN WALSH