Family pet on death row
A FAMILY fighing to save their pet cattle dog from death row say they have been allowed to visit him only twice in his three years of “solitary”.
Tamborine Village resident Paul Cutbush says he has spent $15,000 on the legal fees to save his daughter’s dog Bandit since it was seized as a dangerous dog in 2017.
Mr Cutbush says the dog has been kept in the dark without exercise.
The Scenic Rim Regional Council on Friday rejected the allegation, saying: “Council can confirm that the dog is being treated in accordance with animal welfare laws.’’
Bandit was 18 months old when taken by the Scenic Rim Regional Council on a dangerous dog destruction order after he had allegedly bitten three people on separate occasions.
The alleged incidents included:
Bandit biting a female jogger on her left lower leg, inflicting a 1-2cm wound.
A person delivering a letter to a neighbour being bitten on the left lower leg, with the wound requiring dressing.
A neighbour being bitten on the foot and knocked to the ground.
Since then, Bandit has been in the custody. Mr Cutbush, an IT consultant, pursued the matter in court, claiming the attacks were either staged, did not occur or were the fault of the victim.
In 2018, Mr Cutbush filed a $749,000 district court claim against the council. The matter is ongoing. In a separate case, last December Mr Cutbush lost a QCAT appeal tribunal claim to get the council to call off destruction of the dog.
His final chance to save Bandit’s life will be decided by the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) next month. In the meantime, Mr Cutbush has been raising funds for legal costs.
The family receives updates from a vet every two months showing the dog is in good health, but they claim they have been allowed two visits.
Mr Cutbush said he sat outside the pound to hear Bandit bark and alleged the exercise yards were unused.
“Since he was taken from us he has only had 10 minutes exercise when we were allowed to visit him,” Mr Cutbush said.
“He is a young pup who has now spent most of his life alone. I keep requesting whether we can see him but nothing. We are worried.”
Mr Cutbush said when his wife and daughter were permitted to see Bandit on their single visit last year, they were not allowed to pet him.
“We are concerned about his eyes because he has been in the dark the whole time. He has spent so long in a cell now it can’t be good. It is torture.
“We can’t even give him any toys or blankets. If this is the end of his life, he is miserable.
“Given Bandit has been held now for three years one month, it appears the council have employed him.”
A spokesman for Scenic Rim Regional Council said they would not make any further comments while the matter was before the courts.