Shoalhaven Council to discuss deadly dogs after inquest into fatal attack

A south coast council is set to discuss how they can lower the number of dog attacks and regulate dangerous dogs in their region following an inquest into a fatal attack.

A south coast council is set to question how they can lower dog attacks in their region following an inquest into the death of an elderly lady in the area during a dog attack in 2021.

Shoalhaven Council will discuss the topic at their upcoming meeting next week, with the conversation rising after an inquest into the tragic death of 90-year-old Ada “Sally” Holland in March 2020.

Mrs Holland, a mother of four, was walking with friends on Collingwood Beach when she was attacked by three staffordshire bull terriers after they jumped a fence.

An inquest into the horror death took place on June 14 this year, where Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes delivered a raft of recommendations at the NSW Coroner’s Court on how to protect citizens from dangerous dogs.

Mrs Forbes recommended the Office of Local Government create a “standardised training package” for rangers dealing with dog attacks with the death of Mrs Holland being used as a real-life example.

Sally Holland, 90.

Now, Shoalhaven Council are set to discuss how they can make their LGA safer and debate what they can do as an elected body to prevent attacks such as this from ever happening again.

The motion – put forth by Shoalhaven Councillor Tonia Gray – will be discussed next Monday and asks many questions, including how many registered or identified dogs are there in the Shoalhaven and how many dog attacks are reported in the Shoalhaven each year.

The three dogs who attacked and killed Sally Holland.

Ms Gray said it was an important time to discuss the topic following the fatal attack of Mrs Holland.

“The issue of dog attack is not exclusive to the Shoalhaven, and it is increasing with population growth,” she said in council papers.

“Pet ownership is significantly correlated with higher levels of social capital however, with the push for increased living densities there will be more pets living in units and small yards; higher concentrations of dogs living in close proximity, all with the potential to attack.

“Dog attacks are more prevalent in lower socio-economic areas.”

Shoalhaven Councillor Tonia Gray.

Council papers reveal possible solutions to dog attacks in the area, including tougher breeding controls, more open, accessible and contextual public information about dog risks and how to control them that extends beyond compliance and tighter regulation around owner competency.

Following the meeting on Jun 24, Shoalhaven Council will create a report to be submitted for further discussion at a future meeting.

Got a news tip? Email us at [e-mail]