Boro Wonger, 86, begs Glen Eira Council to return his dog after it bolted at Caulfield Racecourse

AN elderly man whose dog was seized by council rangers when she broke from his grasp at Caulfield Racecourse is begging for the return of his pet.

Boro Wonger with a picture of his best mate, kelpie-cross Linda. Picture: Valeriu Campan

AN ELDERLY Caulfield man is desperate to get his dog back after she ran off at Caulfield Racecourse this month.

Boro Wonger, 86, said he was walking his 18-month-old kelpie-cross, Linda, at the track on March 10 when she bolted, causing him to lose his grip on her leash.

“I was running after her but she went ahead and because of my age I couldn’t catch her,” he said.

Mr Wonger said Linda was seized by Glen Eira Council because she posed “a threat to horses”.

“But she’s not savage, she’s a pet,” he said.

“It was the first time she has ever got loose and I was right nearby.

“Now I can’t get access to my dog and I am fearful she will be destroyed.”

Glen Eira Council planning and place director Ron Torres said Linda would be returned home at the “conclusion of the investigation and welfare assessment”.

“Council aims to return the dog home as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Torres said there had been other allegations against Mr Wonger’s dog that were also under investigation.

“Neighbours have alleged this dog cannot be contained on the property and has rushed at people in the street,” he said.

The council was investigating whether Linda had attacked any people or animals at the track, Mr Torres said.

Mr Wonger, who lives on his own, said he was desperate to get Linda back.

“It’s just me and her and I feel safer with her around,” he said.

“She is my companion and the only guard I have at my property; I am an old man and anyone can hide in my bushes (and break in).”

Mr Wonger said people in Caulfield were “badly impacted” by a lack of open space and he often walked his dog in public parkland at Caulfield Racecourse.

“From time to time they try to impose a ban on dog owners (from coming into the racecourse) because they could frighten horses but there is nowhere else to go,” he said.

“The track is supposed to be for the community too.”

In 2014, a scathing Victorian Auditor-General report found decisions about the use of the 54 ha site had “disproportionately favoured racing interests with insufficient attention paid to fulfilling the community-related purposes of the reserve”.

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The report said public space was not easily accessible, entry points and signage were inadequate and, despite upgrades, the reserve did not address the community need for better recreational facilities within Glen Eira.