Owner’s despair after puppy killed by neighbour’s dog, lack of action by council

A Queensland man has spoken out about a horrifying dog attack that killed his puppy in his own backyard and his frustration over the council’s reaction. FULL REPORT

When Keeghan Painter heard tiny yelps coming from his backyard, he raced outside to find his tiny French Bulldog pup being viciously attacked by a dog, but it was already too late.

He believes his neighbour’s dog had managed to get into his yard and latch on to 15-week old puppy Elvis, puncturing his stomach and killing him.

Keeghan Painter holds puppy Elvis, alongside his partner Tahlia and their daughters Mabel and Grayah at their home in the Moreton Bay region. Picture: supplied

Mr Painter painfully recalled the moment he was forced to turn his attention away from his dying puppy towards his young daughter after the dog ran inside the Joyner home towards her and the family’s now only remaining pet – a pregnant chihuahua.

“He chased her inside, circled her, growling. She was frightened,” he said.

“I managed to get the dog back outside and my partner and I went straight to the emergency hospital but he (Elvis) didn’t make it.

“He died in our arms in the car.”

A lifeless Elvis after he was taken to the emergency vet. He sadly died in his owner's arms in the car and didn't make it there alive. Picture: Supplied

A traumatised Mr Painter leapt into action to have the dog removed from the neighbouring property and declared dangerous.

But he didn’t receive the response from Moreton Bay Council that he’d hoped for.

“They (ranger) came out last Sunday right after it happened and took the evidence and went to seize the dog, but our neighbour had locked the dog inside,” Mr Painter said, adding that his neighbour was also not home at the time the ranger came.

Keeghan and Elvis laying on the couch with Keeghan’s partner Tahlia behind them. Picture: Supplied

“They came back again on Tuesday and at this point we believed the dog would be taken. The ranger even said they would come over and brief us after the visit.

“Suddenly we got a message saying the ranger was satisfied with the dog being locked inside.

“They said it might take up to 14 days for the dog to be put on the dangerous dog register but in my opinion the dog should be seized until adequate measures can be put in place to ensure our safety.”

Tahlia Semple and Keeghan Painter, centre, with five-year-old Mabel and six-year-old Grayah, with their remaining pet, Gucci. Picture: Richard Walker

Frustrated, Mr Painter decided to start a Change.org petition to have the dog removed, and is now advocating for council to implement stricter processes.

“Since the dog is supposed to have been locked inside we’ve found fresh holes along our fence line that could have been caused by the dog,” he said.

“We’re prisoners in our own home – we can’t let the kids play out the back, we can’t let our pregnant dog outside to (go to) the toilet.”

Fresh holes Keeghan has discovered along his fence after the fatal attack he thinks could have been caused by a neighbour’s dog. Picture: Supplied

Besser blocks are the only thing now 'blocking' the hole dug underneath their fence. Picture: Supplied

“And we keep telling the council but it just feels like we’re the ones chasing everything up; they’re telling us they haven’t had a chance to speak with the rangers about it. It’s just not good enough.

“It makes me wonder what it would have taken for us to get any real action, like my daughter being attacked.”

Local Councillor Mick Gillam said he was looking into the matter.

“This case is being investigated,” he said.

“Council has a strict zero tolerance policy towards dangerous dogs.”

For Mr Painter, it’s now about protecting other families who may experience the same unnecessary loss.

“The hardest thing about Elvis is he knew he was my dog, he slept on me, he would always come to me and be by my side,” he said.

“It’s so much more than losing a pet, this dog meant everything to me, so it’s hit me quite hard but I have to protect my daughters and right now I can’t do that with this dog roaming next door.

“You’re supposed to be safe in your own home.”

Mr Painter’s neighbour did not respond to requests for comment.