Mildura magistrate narrowly spared a family dog

A dog that killed two farm animals has had its own life saved by the words of a military veteran. Find out what happened.

Sarah Phillips with family friend Lee Ranger outside the Mildura Magistrates’ Court where he helped her convince a magistrate to save the life of her dog after it attacked two alpacas.

A family pet that mauled two alpacas has had its own life saved by a magistrate who ordered it be better trained.

Dog owner Sarah Phillips appeared in front of Mildura Magistrates’ Court to plead for the life of her family pet after it escaped and cause the death of two alpacas.

The court heard on February 21 this year, the Hobbs family heard a noise out the front of their property.

When they investigated, they discovered their pet alpacas lying on the ground.

One was in distress and a dog with a bloodied mouth was inside their property.

Once the dog was caught by council staff, vets were called to the scene and one of the alpacas was pronounced dead.

The other had to be put down later due to its injuries.

Magistrate Robert Kumar said while he was going to order the destruction of the attacking dog, the testimony of family friend and military veteran Lee Ranger convinced him otherwise.

“This family can be successful given the right support,” Mr Ranger told the court.

“I’m very confident that she can meet all the requirements of a dangerous dog … it’s as much about training the owner as it is the dog.”

Magistrate Kumar said he was “very impressed”, but Ms Phillips needed to understand people and their animals had a right to be protected.

“If I was not satisfied by the testimony I would be ordering the destruction of the dog, ” he said.

“The victims here deserve to be protected, children have to be protected, animals have to be protected.”

Ms Phillips was ordered to pay more than $9000 in compensation to the owners of the alpacas, and in council legal fees.