Kodi fires fight on dog laws

DOG lovers have put their best paws forward as they continue to push for a change to Tasmania’s dangerous dog laws.

Walk for Kodi events were organised at Ulverstone in the North West, Pontville in the South, and at Albert Park Lake in Melbourne yesterday.

The Pontville walk, along the Jordan River Trail, was organised by Cherole Walters.

“We just need the laws changed so our dogs are safe in our own backyards,” Ms Walters said.

Kodi, a german shepherd, became the face of a community push to amend the laws so that dogs protecting their property from trespass – or themselves from physical harm – were not classified as dangerous.

In December last year, two young boys allegedly climbed fences to enter the Wynyard property where Kodi lived.

The dog reacted and one boy was seriously injured and required hospitalisation.

Kodi was stabbed in the incident and needed surgery.

The Waratah-Wynyard Council classified Kodi as dangerous and ruled he spend his time in a cage when his owners were at work.

Owner Vikki Phillips revealed in June that Kodi was euthanised because he was not coping with his enforced and restricted lifestyle.

Richmond’s James and Mandy Welling, with their two german shepherds, joined the Pontville Walk for Kodi.

Mrs Welling said she would be “devastated” if her dogs found themselves in a similar situation.

“The most important thing for us . . . is to seek a change in the legislation,” Mrs Welling said.

Ms Phillips and “Kodi’s Army” campaign organiser Karen James met Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein earlier this month and gave him a petition of more than 15,260 signatures asking for changes to Tasmania’s Dangerous Dog Act. Mr Gutwein said he would follow up matters Ms Phillips and Ms James raised.