Daniel Blake sentenced to two months jail after his dangerous dogs killed a neighbours’ pets
A man has been sentenced to jail and his dangerous dogs are facing death row after they killed two pet rabbits.
South East
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A man who allowed his dangerous dogs to roam the streets, killing pets and rushing people has been given a jail sentence and his American staffies are facing death row.
Daniel Blake was on Friday sentenced to two months in prison after the local council asked Frankston Magistrates Court to lock him up over his “flagrant disregard” for dangerous dog laws.
The Seaford man was also banned from owning an animal for five years and fined $2000.
Frankston council wants to destroy the dogs and Blake will have the chance to make a submission to a panel appointed to decide the dogs’ fate.
Blake, 36, earlier pleaded guilty to 10 dog-related charges after his American staffy-like dogs Nate and Narla escaped his Seaford house overnight on August 25.
The court heard Blake’s neighbours woke to a noise about 3am and when they went to investigate found Nate and Narla on their doorstep.
The dogs tried to enter the house but were pushed away by the neighbours.
A pair of pet rabbits were later found dead in their backyard.
Blake, who did not have legal representation, told the court he usually kept the dogs in his bedroom and they had been mistakenly let out by a visitor to his property.
“I’m truly sorry for the distress caused to my neighbours and I’d like to apologise,” he said.
He also wanted to “make amends” to the owners of the rabbits killed by the dogs.
Since the August 25 attack Blake had installed an electric roller gate to further restrict access to his property.
“Visitors can’t enter without my supervision,” he said.
Blake said the dogs were not aggressive to people.
Magistrate Gerard Bryant described the case as “the most lamentable situation”.
“The dogs have a high propensity for aggression or violence towards other animals,” he said.
Mr Bryant said Blake had shown “contempt and complete disregard” for court orders to keep the dogs securely confined.
“A prescribe enclosure is not a bedroom,” he said.
When sentencing Blake, Mr Bryant said he was mindful he did not have the advantage of legal representation and “imposing a term of imprisonment is a step the court is loath to take”.
“But in light of your appalling history with your dogs I’m of the view that given the seriousness of the offending and the multiple opportunities to comply with court orders only a term of imprisonment satisfies.”
Blake has been prosecuted by the council at least nine times since 2022 for similar offences, including failing to confine the dogs to his property between sunrise and sunset and failing to register them
The dogs were declared dangerous on April 8 requiring Blake to keep them in a prescribed enclosure, muzzle them when outside his property and ensure they wore collars with identification.
However, Blake was back before the court in June after the dogs were again allowed to roam Seaford streets.
Frankston council prosector Bruce Gardiner said around August 22 or 23 Blake was ordered by Frankston Magistrates Court to pay fines, pound fees and court costs of $8000.
He told the court that Blake retrieved his dogs from the pound and two days later they killed the rabbits.
Later on Friday, Blake appealed the sentence and was bailed ahead of a hearing in early 2025.
