Family may leave Ipswich to save pet dog from death row

OWNERS of Bruce the bull mastiff are considering leaving Ipswich to save their dog from being put down.

SEIZED: Bruce has been impounded and faces being put down after an attack in August. Picture: Contributed

OWNERS of Bruce the bull mastiff are considering leaving Ipswich to save their dog from being put down.

As reported in yesterday's QT, the dog was declared dangerous after it bit a council officer inspecting the property after it was found roaming the streets in 2010.

The council has now issued a notice for the dog's destruction on October 16 after it bit an Energex worker who entered two gates and ignored dangerous dog warning signs to read the meter in the backyard.

Ipswich City Council has given the family the option of rehousing the dog in another local government area or it faces being put down.

Denmark Hill homeowner Kev Thomas said he was contacting nearby councils to inquire if another city would take Bruce.

"I don't want to leave Ipswich, but if I've got to leave, I've got to leave. My kids are in Ipswich. We don't want to lose Bruce.

"It's not Bruce's fault, we've let him down really. We've made a mistake. I should have had a bigger enclosure.

"I've told the council I'll get the meter moved. I've told them I'll make a much larger dog enclosure.

"The council just seem to be out to unload him because of things we've done wrong over the years."

A council spokesman said yesterday it was likely the matter would go before the courts and council would not be commenting further.