Dog owners Jasmin Dawe and Sam Barker threaten legal action against Light Regional Council over response to dog attack

A Hewett couple whose beloved dog was killed during an attack by a neighbour’s dog say their local council ‘s response was “condescending” and “poor”.

A “heartbroken” Hewett couple whose beloved dog was killed during an attack by a neighbour’s dog has threatened legal action against their local council after its “condescending” and “poor” response to the incident.

Jasmin Dawe and Sam Barker received a call from a neighbour on Tuesday morning to tell them their nine-year-old Australian shepherd Liberty had been mauled to death by another neighbour’s dog.

Their staffy cross Lily was also badly mauled but survived the attack.

The couple are now exploring legal action against the Light Regional Council for its response to the attack.

“We don’t feel very safe and we feel pretty hard done by,” Mr Barker said.

Dog owners Sam Barker and Jasmin Dawe say they are exploring legal action against Light Regional Council for its response to an attack that killed their nine-year-old Australian shepherd Liberty and left their staffy cross Lily seriously injured. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“We wouldn’t go to all this effort if we felt safe in our yard,” Ms Dawe added.

“It’s a serious issue.

“It’s a safety issue.”

One of the dogs involved in the attack has been put down but Ms Dawe and Ms Barker have called for the second animal to be euthanised after the attack.

“It got through so why can’t it get through again?” Mr Barker said.

“What’s not to say he’s just going to go for her (Lily) again?

“What to say he’s not going to get through again?”

The couple said the council’s response to the attack had been “very poor” and raised concerns the dog could escape its yard and attack other dogs or children at a nearby primary school.

“They (Light Regional Council) haven’t been forthcoming with any updates,” Ms Dawe said.

“I shouldn’t have to chase them up.”

Mr Barker said the dog being allowed to remain at home while the council investigated the attack “blew his mind”.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Mr Barker said.

Ms Dawe and Mr Barker’s dogs were attacked when a neighbour’s dogs broke through the fence separating the two properties. Picture: Supplied

“None of it makes any sense.”

In a statement on Thursday, Light Regional Council said the attack was being investigated and it was taking the matter “very seriously”.

“Due to its nature, the investigation is a confidential process and Council is unable to elaborate on details accordingly, however Council would note that all parties are co-operating and assisting Council with its investigation process, including managing the animals involved,” the statement read.

“Dog attacks are often, by their nature, very distressing for the parties involved, particularly for the owner/s of an injured or deceased animal, but often also for the owner/s of the animal/s allegedly involved.”

Ms Dawe and Mr Barker said they would continue to explore legal action until they felt the council had responded appropriately.

“I’d rather be going to work this week and come home with my dog home and not be completely scattered,” Mr Barker said.

Originally published as Dog owners Jasmin Dawe and Sam Barker threaten legal action against Light Regional Council over response to dog attack