Hank the dog to go home after ‘shock’ decision
IT’S been a long fought-campaign by the owners of Hank the mastiff - who has sat on death row after he allegedly attacked a seven-year-old girl in 2016. But now a tribunal has made a shock decision about his fate.
Moreton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Moreton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A ‘SHOCK’ decision has been handed down for Hank, a dog which was declared dangerous, to be allowed home - if his owners comply with safety conditions.
The Neapolitan mastiff was seized by Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) after an alleged incident at a neighbourhood gathering at Rothwell in 2016.
A seven-year-old girl was left with severe facial injuries requiring time in hospital and reconstructive surgery.
In May 2017, MBRC seized the dog and declared a destruction order.
Council’s decision was twice upheld by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), but this week QCAT ordered the destruction order be set aside.
Mayor Allan Sutherland described it as a “shock” ruling but he was more disturbed that Hank would returning to the same street as the incident.
“My heart goes out to the real victim of this horrific incident, a seven-year-old girl who has to live every day with the physical and emotional scars of her horrific attack,” he said.
“Council has a responsibility to ensure our community is safe, which is why we took legal action to have this dangerous animal put down.
SIGN UP FOR LOCAL NEWSLETTERS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A $100 SHOPPING VOUCHER
“I want to be clear that Hank will remain registered as a dangerous animal and he will not be released back into the community until his owners comply with all of the conditions for keeping a declared dangerous dog, as outlined in the Animal Management Act.”
Facebook page Save Hank the Neo Mastiff shared the news saying their “boy is coming home”.
“Words cannot express the ecstatic feeling we have at the moment.”
Lot sizes almost slashed in half as state hikes council’s housing target
The state has ordered a bayside council to increase its housing supply by 30 per cent to accommodate an extra 45,192 residents by 2046 and has slashed the minimum lot size to help with the move.
Qld homeowners warned to prepare for looming cyclone season
As Queensland braces for another cyclone season, experts urge homeowners to prepare, with alarming statistics revealing most households lack adequate disaster plans.