Gold Coast City Council to more than triple off-leash fines following fatal dog attack

The Gold Coast City Council is looking to triple the cost for off-leash fines following a dog attacked that left a Labrador woman’s “decapitated”. SHOULD IT INCREASE - HAVE YOU SAY

The Gold Coast City Council is cracking down on reckless dog owners following a dog attacked that left a Labrador woman’s “decapitated”.

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates said the city council was looking to more than triple the fine cost for pet owners allowing their dogs off leashes.

Nine-year-old Heidi-Ho was mauled to death on Monday while out on a walk at Labrador with owner Cynthia May Farr. Picture: Cynthia May Farr

It comes days after Labrador woman Cynthia Farr was left “numb” after her Maltese Shih Tzu, Heidi-Ho, was killed by a Bull Mastiff in a violent attack on Monday morning.

A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson confirmed the Bull Mastiff was euthanized following the attack.

Cr Gates said the current fine for an owner who had their dog off a leash was $140 and would rise to more than $500 if approved at council.

“No one wants to see fines increased but in this case, we are looking at hefty increases in fines for owners of dogs roaming off leash,” she said.

“One attack is one too many. The city has ample off leash dog areas across the city with some beach areas even off leash approved.

“There is no excuse for a dog wandering without being controlled by its owner.”

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates said the city council was looking to more than double the fine cost for pet owners allowing their dogs off leashes. Picture Glenn Hampson

Cr Gates said it’s paramount dog owners register their dogs with the service free for people over 60.

“Further, registering your dog is important as those funds go directly into animal management operations so we can ensure our valued staff are out and about,” she said.

Registering your dog also gives us a citywide overview of where most dogs reside.”

Stroller-bound dog ‘decapitated’ in vicious attack

February 8, 2022

A distraught pet owner says she’ll “never be the same” after seeing her best friend of nine years almost “decapitated” by another dog in a savage mauling while out on a walk.

Labrador woman Cynthia Farr is completely “numb” in the wake of Monday morning’s horror attack that claimed the life of Heidi-Ho, left with both physical and mental scars that will require hours of counselling to recover from.

Ms Farr was walking the Maltese Shih Tzu alongside her red cattle dog Jacko on their usual route when the trio was ambushed about 7am by three dogs – a bull mastiff and two greyhounds.

Nine-year-old Heidi-Ho was mauled to death by three dogs on Monday while out on a walk at Labrador with owner Cynthia May Farr. Picture: Supplied

Heidi-Ho, stroller-bound at the time due to walking difficulties, was set upon by the Bull Mastiff in a violent attack that didn’t end until the smaller dog was killed.

Ms Farr took to social media yesterday to share her devastation: “RIP my Heidi-Ho. I am sorry I could not save you from the bull mastiff that ended your life I am gutted,” she wrote.

“The images I will find it hard to remove from my mind, her little head was almost gone.

“I need counselling, I am suffering from PTSD at present.”

The woman tried in vain to save her small dog, even putting her body on the line to stop the vicious daylight attack that landed her in hospital with deep abrasions to her arms and legs.

Paramedics, police and animal control officers attended the scene.

Nine-year-old Heidi-Ho was mauled to death by three dogs on Monday while out on a walk at labrador with owner Cynthia May Farr. Picture: Supplied

It comes just one week on from yet another horrific dog attack at Coomera which left one woman in hospital with injuries to her arm and hand.

Five-year-old Manny was killed in a brutal incident at a Varsity Lakes home on Christmas Eve, his injuries so severe he died during surgery at Gold Coast University Hospital.

The Bulletin revealed last October there were 547 dog attacks reported to the Gold Coast City Council from January 1 to October 11 in 2021 and 557 in the same period the year before.

The suburbs with the most attacks were Upper Coomera and Southport with 36 each, followed by 26 at Labrador, and 24 each at Nerang and Pimpama.

Nine-year-old Heidi-Ho. Picture: Supplied

“I tried so hard to save her but this bull mastiff (was) running at large with no owner about,” Ms Farr recalled.

“I am on medication to try and get the images from my mind I will never be the same – not for a long time.

“She only weighed six kg and this dog weighed about 50kg or more. I hope I never lay eyes on a dog like this again for the rest of my life …

“ … We never stood a chance.”

Jacko – who Ms Farr says is a nervous wreck now – managed to escape the attack, breaking free of his collar to run to the safety of his home.

Distraught owner Cynthia Farr covered in her dog’s blood after the fatal attack. Picture: Cynthia May Farr

A Gold Coast City Council spokesman said all three dogs had been seized.

“The city is aware of a dog attack that occurred at Labrador this morning,” the spokesman said.

“Three dogs have been seized while investigations into the incident are underway.

“None of the dogs have been previously declared dangerous.”

The spokesman said no decision regarding the future of the dogs had been made yet.

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