Ipswich neighbours dog’s set for return after brutal killing of their dog

An Ipswich family continues to live in fear more than a month after their border collie was brutally killed claiming a council loophole means the attacking dogs could return to the street in a matter of days.

Two roaming dogs that tore through a wire fence to brutally kill a neighbour’s eight-year-old border collie are likely to be returned to their owners.

Eight-year-old Border Collie Rex was killed protecting his three pack members when they were attacked by dogs in their own yard at Lower Mount Walker, south west of Ipswich.

On April 6, the Lower Mount Walker family woke at night to the heart-stopping screams of Rex fighting for his life.

Rex fought for 20 minutes before he died protecting his four and two-legged family members.

Mother-of-three Chloe, who only wants to go by her first name, said since the attack her family had changed and they were beyond fearful because there was nothing they could do to stop the dogs from being returned.

The Queensland’s Animal Management Act (QAMA) dictates how councils respond to dog attacks and in most cases when a dog is deemed dangerous or menacing after an investigation, it is returned to its owners.

“We are totally flipping out to the point I did not sleep at all last night,” she said.

“My 16-year-old can’t sleep with the light off. We get up three or four times a night to the dogs barking and as soon as we hear that we are up and out there.

“We’re totally on edge and anxious and now we have the possibility of them going back around the corner.”

Rex’s ‘girlfriend’ Lyla hasn’t been the same since his death.

Chloe said from discussions with the Ipswich City Council, her understanding was the dogs would be returned under conditions unless the owners decided to euthanize them.

“Unfortunately the council’s arms are tied with the law,” she said.

According to the QAMA legislation once a dog has been deemed dangerous, its owners must comply with the following orders: The dog must be kept in an approved enclosure at all times, wear a muzzle if free, wear a distinctive collar, and signs must be displayed on all gates of the property.

If a declared dangerous dog is found roaming, the council is not required to return it and can issue a destruction order.

“But I don’t know what we are supposed to do. They’ve already scouted our dogs out so they’re coming back, and I have to trust those owners not to let them out.

“What am I supposed to do, leave my two other border collies in their yard locked up, like Rex was, and if they come over for blood, we lose another dog?”

The Ipswich region teacher lives with her husband, three sons, daughter-in-law, and two-year-old grandchild, who all recently moved to the area.

However, Chloe said the whole family was ready to pack their bags if the dogs were returned.

“We are at the point where we are close to putting a for sale sign out the front,” she said.

“We can’t live here. Do we go to work and leave our dogs outside? Am I supposed to leave my daughter-in-law at home with my granddaughter? I just don’t know what we are going to do.”

Eight-year-old Border Collie Rex was killed protecting his three pack members when they were attacked by roaming dogs in their own yard at Lower Mount Walker, south west of Ipswich.

An Ipswich City Council spokesman said the investigation into the attack was ongoing.

“Council officers from the Animal Management team are continuing investigations and at this stage, no decision has been made regarding the incident,” he said.

This year already 113 dog attacks have reported to the Ipswich City Council, compared to 439 in 2021.

The spokesman said the number of dog attacks remained consistent.

“2022 figures are tracking in similar fashion,” he said.

“There is no evidence available to council to suggest that there has been a rise in dog attack reports.

He said Ipswich City Council promotes responsible pet ownership and encourages all dog owners to ensure their pets are: Registered and microchipped, confined to the property at all times, kept on a leash in public, and desexed where the animal is not being used for breeding.