Vicious dog saved in death row appeal

A DANGEROUS dog that attacked and killed a neighbour’s cat in south east Queensland has been saved from death row after the owner launched an appeal. Here’s how he convinced the tribunal.

A DANGEROUS male mastiff dog that attacked and killed a neighbour’s cat has been saved from death row, after an appeal to a tribunal.

Titan was declared a dangerous dog by Moreton Bay Regional Council after the dog attacked Paddy, a cat that had been tethered in a nearby front yard in 2016.

Titan’s owner, Mark Balens, claimed his dog was provoked by the cat and ran at it, pulling the lead out of his hand, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard.

Mr Balens claimed the cat would have been able to run away if it had been loose.

VICIOUS DOG ATTACKS ON RISE

Paddy’s owner said he heard a horrible noise and when he went outside he saw Paddy rolling around on the ground and Mr Balens dragging Titan off his property. Paddy died soon after.

Since the dangerous dog declaration the council had received complaints from neighbours about Titan and the council found Mr Balens had failed to comply with some dangerous dog requirements.

Titan had been seen in the street without a muzzle and a destruction order was made after Titan was seen outside his enclosure and not under Mr Balens’s effective control.

“Mr Balens is very attached to Titan and his doctor indicated he would be adversely affected if Titan was to be destroyed,’’ a tribunal member said.

The member said a destruction order was a last resort and set aside the council’s order, saying it was believed Mr Balens would now abide by all the dangerous dog requirements.