Court: Woman stalked and threatened neighbours after they complained about dogs’ barking

A former citizen of the year well known for running a Sanctuary for Senior Dogs has pleaded guilty to stalking and threatening her neighbours after they complained about her dogs’ barking.

A former citizen of the year, who has given a home to dozens of senior dogs, stalked and threatened her neighbours, after they complained about her dogs’ barking.

Karen Leigh Goullet threatened that her son in prison, whom she falsely portrayed as a multiple murderer with dangerous contacts on the outside, would harm them, Brisbane District Court heard Wednesday.

Goullet, 58, is well known for running her Sanctuary for Senior Dogs from her Morayfield home for 16 years, with stories about her having appeared in print and television media.

In 2018, Goullet was nominated as Moreton Bay Regional Council’s citizen of the year, the court heard.

But over two months last year, dog-loving Goullet left her next door neighbours, a couple with two children, living in fear, even avoiding going outside in their yard.

Karen Goullet, who was given a suspended jail sentence for stalking her neighbours and making a threat of violence. Pictured with her husband, Jamie Goullet. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Goullet pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking, involving an act of intentionally threatening to use violence against each of her adult neighbours, between February and April, last year.

Goullet’s son, Thomas Daniel Dinneen, 26, pleaded guilty to the same two stalking offences, although the court heard his involvement was encouraging his mother in the stalking.

The court also heard at 9.30pm on January 21, 2021, a woman’s voice was heard coming from Goullet’s home, yelling at the neighbours’ children to shut up because people were trying to sleep.

The male neighbour yelled out that Goullet should keep her dogs quiet, referring to Goullet and her husband allowing her dogs to stand at the fence barking constantly.

The neighbours claimed there was then an increase in the dogs’ barking over the next couple of weeks, but the judge said she did not infer Goullet did anything to increase the barking.

On February 2, 2021 the female neighbour sent a message to Goullet and her husband Jamie asking to meet for a chat.

Ms Goullet runs a Sanctuary for Senior Dogs. Picture: Facebook

Goullet responded she did not wish to talk and asked the neighbours to never go to her property.

Later that day the neighbour contacted Moreton Bay Regional Council, complaining about the excessive number of dogs Goullet kept on her property, the court heard.

Acting Judge Katarina Prskalo said the stalking by Goullet involved her making threats of violence to be inflicted by Dinneen, who was then on remand in prison.

She said Goullet also sent Facebook messages to the female neighbour’s clients, warning them off her and her business.

She claimed the neighbour was not a nice person because she had called the council and had attempted to have her rescue and senior dogs taken away.

“There were instances of screaming profanities at the complainants and also threats that your son would get them when he got out of jail,” the judge told Goullet.

Dinneen, who had no contact with the neighbours, contacted his mother from prison, aiding the stalking by encouraging her.

Brisbane Court, Brisbane District Court on George St in the city. Picture: John Weekes

“The complainants and their family are fearful of you both,” Judge Prskalo told Goullet and Dinneen.

Before they moved away the family erected extra fencing around their swimming pool, to prevent Goullet seeing them.

“They all avoided being outside the house, due to their fear,” the judge said.

“The family made special arrangements with the children’s school to ensure their safety and also they upgraded the security around their home.”

Goullet has been taking senior dogs from shelters and pounds for 16 years, caring for them at her property until they died, with 10 to 15 dogs there at any one time.

“Clearly this offending is an aberration for you when one considers your personal background,” the judge said, saying Goullet was obviously very devoted to her dogs.

Goullet’s defence counsel said she had become very upset about the neighbours’ complaint to council about her dogs.

The mother-of-four and former contract manager suffered injuries in a work accident and has since had severe panic disorder and agoraphobia.

Buffy, one of the senior dogs taken in by Ms Goullet at her Sanctuary for Senior Dogs. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Goullet’s court appearance was only the second time she had left home since 2020.

Dinneen has a history of drug dependency and has been given prison sentences for armed robbery and other offences, but has never been convicted of murder.

He was on remand for unrelated offences at the time of the stalking.

On Wednesday, Goullet was sentenced to 15 months’ jail, immediately suspended, operational for 18 months.

Dinneen was sentenced to nine months’ jail, with immediate release on parole, although he is still on remand for other offences.

The judge declared 113 days Dinneen has spent in custody as time served on the sentence.

Judge Prskalo made a restraining order barring the mother and son from having any contact with the stalking victims.