Palmerston man Peter Thomas escapes fine after letting his dog off leash near ‘feuding’ home

A 72-year-old Palmerston man has been dragged before the courts after letting his dog named Licorice off leash near bushland. See why this ‘petty’ charge has landed him before the courts.

Peter Mark Thomas appeared before Darwin Local Court Chief judge Elizabeth Morris over allegations he was the owner of a dog “at large” on the morning of June 10.

A “pathetic” feud between Palmerston dog owners has been dragged before a Territory judge after security footage of an off-leash pet was sent to a local council.

On Monday Peter Mark Thomas appeared before Darwin Local Court Chief judge Elizabeth Morris over allegations he was the owner of a dog “at large” on the morning of June 10.

The 72-year-old told the court he took his dog Licorice off her leash while approaching the home of his nemesis on Peckham Court, Gunn.

Despite walking past the home without any incident, CCTV stills of Licorice were sent to the City of Palmerston.

Mr Thomas told the court he wanted to contest the $100 infringement notice, as he believed his highly trained seven-year-old dog was always under “effective control”, stating “she always comes to me when I call her”.

City of Palmerston legal representative James Bowyer said it was never alleged that Licorice was dangerous or aggressive, but strictly speaking she was only be considered ‘under control’ if on a leash.

“Unfortunately by-laws are something that the Palmerston City Council are focused on, as in the past couple of years there’s been some issues with aggressive dogs,” Mr Bowyer said.

Lawyer James Bowyer leaving Darwin Local Court on Monday February 3. Picture: Zizi Averill

Mr Thomas decided to plead guilty as he did not have the money for a lawyer and “I don’t see any point in dragging the legal system through all this”.

He said he only took Licorice off-leash as they passed the home of a man he was “frightened” of due to an ongoing dispute.

“The feud is pretty pathetic, your honour,” he acknowledged.

Mr Thomas said the clash began while he was undergoing chemotherapy, with the medications making his mood more volatile.

He said one day the resident’s two Alsatians started barking and fighting with each other as a reaction to him and Licorice walking past.

“He’s blamed me and got abusive, and I must admit I didn’t back off either,” Mr Thomas said.

“He’s come at me with a baseball bat over his head, he’s actually squirted me with a hose and he’s told me not to walk past there.”

Mr Thomas said because of this he had largely avoided the home, only walking near it three times in the past 14 months.

“I just feel like I’ve been bullied the whole time,” he said.

Ms Morris pointed out that Licorice was “nowhere near” the completely enclosed six-foot-high fences of the complainant’s home.

She imposed no conviction, and dismissed the charge.

“I note that he has no prior convictions, and the character of Licorice — who also has no convictions,” she joked.

Originally published as Palmerston man Peter Thomas escapes fine after letting his dog off leash near ‘feuding’ home