Mirvac bans Toombul contractor from using guard dogs after viral photo

A developer has bowed to public pressure and banned a contractor at its flood-wrecked Toombul shopping centre site from using security dogs after a photo of a caged dog went viral.

A national developer has bowed to public pressure and banned a contractor at its flood-wrecked Toombul shopping centre site from using security dogs after a photo of a caged dog went viral.

Mirvac, which owns the sprawling northside site currently being demolished, faced enormous blowback after local resident Kelly posted an image of a large, skinny dog cooped up in a cage on Monday, June 17.

The cage was so small the distressed, shaking dog could not stand or move.

Kelly, who did not want her last name used, said she burst into tears after seeing the howling dog force open the cage door and drag it on a lead tied to the top of the cage.

Mirvac said earlier this week that cages were needed for safety when transporting security dogs, but were to be used only for the minimum necessary time.

But after blanket media coverage and hundreds of scathing comments on local Facebook pages, it issued a further statement on Thursday afternoon,

“We were distressed by the images and reports of an eyewitness account of the handling of a security dog at the Toombul demolition site,’’ a spokeswoman said.

“We have contacted the RSCPA to assist in any investigation process and commit to act in accordance with their findings.

“In the meantime, we have advised our principal site contractor and its security provider to immediately cease the use of security dogs.

“Additional security resources will be deployed to ensure the active construction site is not illegally breached.’’

Local resident Kelly took this photo of a Mirvac security contractor's dog in a tiny cage on site on Monday evening.

So-called urban explorers have been trespassing at the site in recent months as the shopping centre demolition progressed.

It was expected to be finished later this year or in early 2025.

The site was now unsafe, exposing trespassers to the risk of injury.

Kelly said she spotted the “large, skinny bitzer’’ just before sunset on Monday while walking around the huge inner-north demolition site with her partner.

She claimed four security personnel were standing around talking, within eyesight of the animal.

They did nothing to help it despite the howling which first attracted her attention, she said.

“They also had a black dog on a lead. I could hear a dog howling and I said to myself ‘what is that?’,’’ she said.

“When we went around the bus stop I saw four security guys with cars.

“My husband yelled out: ‘Your dog’.

“The dog started to get agitated and the cage door opened a little.

“It appeared to be in pain. I saw the dog get half out, it was shaking.

“The lead was tied to the top of the cage and it was dragging the cage.’’

A resident captured this group entering the Toombul shopping centre. Picture: Lang Sherpa

The couple continued walking their dog but decided to return and when they arrived back at the bus stop the dog, cage and the contractors were gone.

Kelly said she burst into tears because she was so upset and decided to post photos she took because of her concerns.

A Mirvac spokeswoman said earlier this week that site safety was of “utmost importance at Toombul, with demolition now substantially underway and the building no longer structurally sound’’.

Ongoing demolition at Toombul Shopping centre. Picture Lachie Millard

“Our site contractor has engaged an onsite security team and we can confirm that the security team does include a canine unit.

“The security team confirmed cages are used to transport security dogs to and from the site, which is for the safety of the dog and handler.

“Transport is undertaken for the shortest practicable time.

“Security dogs are deployed under a strict animal welfare code of practice.

“The health and safety of working animals is of the utmost importance to our security contractor and ourselves and we are assured by our security contractor that safe handling practices are upheld at all times.’’