Sarah Keevers recounts horror dog attack story at Salacia Waters at Paradise Point

Queensland councils are a step closer to being granted powers to slap irresponsible dog owners with heftier fines and ban people from owning certain breeds. WHAT IT MEANS FOR DOG OWNERS

QUEENSLAND councils are a step closer to being granted powers to slap irresponsible dog owners with heftier fines and ban people from owning certain breeds.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and a delegation of mayors and councillors met with Agriculture Minister Mark Furner in Brisbane on Wednesday to discuss a crackdown on dangerous dogs.

The LGAQ was seeking law changes to ban ownership of restricted dogs in Queensland.

Restricted dogs include the pit bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo argentino and fila brasileiro.

Queensland councils were also calling for greater penalties to deter people from keeping unregistered dogs.

LGAQ chief executive Alison Smith said there were “increasing community concerns” about the issue.

“It was a productive meeting and we look forward to continuing to work with Minister Furner and his department to progress some of the issues discussed,” Ms Smith said.

Mr Furner said councils already had a range of powers to deal with dangerous dogs.

“But I welcome the proposals put forward today and look forward to continuing discussions with the LGAQ on this issue,” he said.

Dog management has been a longstanding concern on the Gold Coast.

In 2019, it was revealed 30,000 dogs were unregistered in the city, leading to a spike in attacks, costing ratepayers millions in lost revenue.

A report to council on a review of animal management laws revealed complaints of dog attacks and aggression had increased by about 12 per cent since 2013.

This prompted councillors to recommend Mayor Tom Tate write to the state government asking for council to set penalties in its own jurisdiction.

Almost 60 per cent of 250 respondents to a Bulletin poll last week said they had seen or experienced a dog attack on the Gold Coast.

They called for a council crackdown on vicious dogs and more proactive patrols of the city’s 60,000 registered dogs.

Last week, Coombabah woman Sarah Keevers recounted how she was attacked by an off-leash dog at a popular beach. She spent four days in hospital with badly bitten hands.

On average two dog attacks occur every day on the Coast.

Council says 528 fines have been issued this year for dogs not under effective control in a public place. One hundred owners had been stung for having an unregistered dog.

Sarah Keevers recovering in hospital after a dog attack on the Gold Coast. Picture: supplied

Revealed: Council’s plan to crack down on vicious dogs - November 30

QUEENSLAND councils will lobby the state government today for tougher penalties to get vicious dogs off Gold Coast streets.

The Local Government Association of Queensland wants greater powers to punish irresponsible dog owners.

Councillor Hermann Vorster, who has long argued for harsher laws, will attend the meeting in Brisbane.

Almost 60 per cent of 250 respondents to a Bulletin poll last week said they had seen or experienced a dog attack on the Gold Coast.

They have called for a council crackdown on dangerous dogs and more proactive patrols of the city’s 60,000 registered dogs.

Last week, Coombabah woman Sarah Keevers recounted how she was attacked by an off-leash dog at a popular beach. She spent four days in hospital with badly bitten hands.

On average two dog attacks occur every day on the Coast.

Cr Hermann Vorster. Picture: Jerad Williams

Council says 528 fines have been issued this year for dogs not under effective control in a public place. One hundred owners had been stung for having an unregistered dog.

Bulletin readers said patrols and fines needed to be increased to act as a deterrent.

“Dog owners are ignoring the signs and let their dogs run free,” one reader said. “Council must step up patrols and fines.”

Another Bulletin reader commented: “Went for a walk on the beach from Miami to Burleigh and counted 15 dogs unleashed and one leashed.

“It is obvious that the Gold Coast City Council have withdrawn any animal control management that it used to have in place and obviously just don’t care.”

A council spokeswoman said the City’s animal management team of 29 staff was on patrol seven days a week.

She said the team had extended its operating hours and introduced more proactive education programs in response to an increase in pet ownership.

The spokeswoman declined to comment on whether more funding for animal management would be included in next year’s council budget.

“The animal management team responds to all dog attacks that are reported to the City of Gold Coast,” she said.

“We ensure each incident is thoroughly investigated and an outcome is reached based on the evidence available.”

Sarah Keevers and her dog Hank the Staffordshire Terrier were savagely attacked by a dog in Biggera Waters, requiring Sarah to spend days in hospital. Picture Glenn Hampson

She said this included the seriousness of the attack, the circumstances, any previous history, whether the dog was registered and the ability of the owner to control the dog.

“The outcomes of these dog attacks include issuing warning notices, compliance notices and infringements for dogs not being under effective control,” the spokeswoman said.

“In some cases offending dogs have been declared as a regulated dangerous or menacing dog.”

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said councils had a range of powers and tools to manage dogs in their communities.

“We believe we have the balance right but we are always happy to look at ways we can do things better,” he said.

‘Worried for my life’: Woman recounts horror dog attack - November 25

A GOLD Coast woman had both hands badly bitten and had to spend four days in hospital after being attacked by an off-leash dog at a popular beach.

Statistically, it is happening about twice every day.

Coombabah woman Sarah Keevers has recounted the horror ordeal to urge dog owners to be responsible and follow the rules.

Gold Coast City Council received 547 dog attack complaints from January 1 to October 11 this year, compared to 557 in the same period last year.

Ms Keevers was attacked about 7am on Friday while walking her English Staffy “Hank” on a leash at Salacia Waters, Paradise Point.

She said a man and an unleashed dog were about 50m away when the dog “charged” towards her and latched on to Hank.

“Obviously, I was trying to protect myself and also protect my dog,” Ms Keevers said.

“As (the dog’s owner) eventually caught up, he had absolutely no control over his dog. He could not restrain his dog. He could not pull his dog back.”

Both of her hands were bitten during the struggle as she screamed for help.

“I was very worried for my dog’s life and my life,” Ms Keevers said.

“There was a point where I stood there and thought, ‘I’m defeated, I have absolutely no energy left in me’.”

Passers-by came to her aid and the dogs were separated.

A woman helped Ms Keevers wrap her left arm, while a man called an ambulance.

Ms Keevers’ friend eventually drove her to Gold Coast University Hospital and took Hank to the vet for treatment.

She spent four days in hospital to treat puncture wounds and cuts to her hands.

“I have also suffered a compound fracture to my left arm because of the bite mark going down to my bone,” Ms Keevers said.

Sarah Keevers with her dog Hank. Picture: Glenn Hampson

She says she is unable to work, drive or cook for another few weeks.

Ms Keevers is also suffering emotional scars, experiencing anxiety and nightmares.

She broke down in tears while describing the effect it had on her life.

“For me personally, I am suffering. I have lost a lot of independence.”

Hank suffered cuts to his lower back.

Both are expected to make a full recovery.

“Hank is my life, he is my number one – and to have my dog to go through that, it’s not fair.”

Hank suffered cuts to his back. Picture Glenn Hampson

The attack was reported to the council.

A council spokeswoman said its animal management team was investigating.

“As a reminder to dog owners, please note that all dogs in public must be kept on a leash at all times unless in a signed designated off-leash area,” she said.

Ms Keevers wants to raise awareness and has called on the council to install better signage so it is clear to other dog owners that the area is leashed only.

“If you have a dog, you need to be responsible for it,” she said.

“The people that helped me, I’m very thankful – it could have been a lot worse.

“Something could have been killed on that day.”

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