Amy Skye Locker, of Blackett convicted over possession of offensive weapon

A western Sydney breeder purchased a taser online to discipline “aggressive” female dogs while they were on heat, a court has been told.

Amy Locker leaves Mt Druitt Local Court

A registered dog breeder from Sydney’s west bought a taser off eBay in an effort to discipline agressive female dogs in her care, a court heard.

Amy Skye Locker, 38, of Blackett appeared to Mt Druitt Local Court after pleading guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

The weapon in question was a taser, which Locker had purchased off eBay for $58, believing it to be a low-voltage cattle prod, the court heard.

The taser was bought, after consulting fellow breeders as well as a vet, about the best way to discipline dogs who were aggressive and reactive while in heat.

The court heard, one of the dogs being bred by Locker had become particularly aggressive while on heat leading to at least one person being injured.

It was agreed this method of discipline was preferable as the device caused “a minimal amount of pain” which doesn’t shut down the dog’s nervous system.

Mt Druitt Local Court generic. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

The court heard, Locker didn’t realise the taser was illegal until police, who attended her house for an unrelated matter, found the weapon unsecured on top of a TV cabinet and away from where the dogs were being kept.

In sentencing, Locker’s lawyer asked Magistrate Breton to consider a non-conviction, taking into account her honesty with police and an early plea of guilty.

However Magistrate Breton, wasn’t willing to deal with offence without a conviction, describing it as being “from a trivial offence.”

“The danger sits in its availability for others to use, and access to these kind of weapons can be used to inflict pain an shock other people. It is far from a trivial offence.

Amy Locker was convicted and fined $1100.