Tina Koutsogiannakis fronts Melbourne Magistrates’ Court over dishonesty allegations in relation to her ‘menacing dog’

The owner of a menacing dog has been accused of lying to her local council about her address and where her pet was living.

Tina Koutsogiannakis, owner of a bull-arab cross -known as Brick – which was ‘declared a menacing dog’, has been accused of lying to her local council about her address and where the dog was living, and more.

The owner of a bull-arab cross which was declared a ‘menacing dog’ by a Melbourne council has been hauled before the courts over accusations of lying.

Tina Koutsogiannakis fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 18 facing allegations brought by Boroondara Council, including that she “failed to notify” both Monash and Boroondara councils about an address change.

A council can declare a dog to be dangerous or menacing, depending on the breed, behaviour and other criteria.

This impacts how an owner is obligated to house or look after their dog, including muzzle requirements and public space rules.

According to the Boroondara Council website, a dog can be defined as menacing if they rush at a person while showing aggressive signs including growling and snarling, if a dog has bitten a person or animal and if the dog has been declared menacing by another council.

Ms Koutsogiannakis will return to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in August.

In charge sheets seen by the Herald Sun, the council alleges Ms Koutsogiannakis failed to register her bull arab cross dog – known as Brick – with either Monash or Boroondara within 24 hours of an address change.

The council also says Ms Koutsogiannakis failed to pay a number of court ordered fees, including $1335 in costs to Boroondara as well as $2576.43 in compensation.

Court documents claim Ms Koutsogiannakis was “not of good behaviour” on December 12 in 2023, allegedly breaching a previously made good behaviour bond.

Further accusations included Ms Koutsogiannakis giving a fake address for Brick in January this year.

In court on Thursday, Ms Koutsogiannakis’ lawyer said a number of the allegations were hotly disputed and requested an adjournment.

Magistrate Andrew McKenna granted the adjournment.

The hearing will resume on August 23.