Donald Montey: Escaped dogs kill terrier in front of distraught owner
The Seaford owner of three bull mastiff crosses has been ordered to pay thousands in costs after his hounds crushed another dog’s throat.
South East
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A dog owner has been hit with more than $5500 in costs after his large hounds escaped and killed a tiny terrier in a Seaford street.
Donald Charles Montey was at work when his trio of dogs managed to dig under a fence and stray into a neighbouring property.
Two of them then got onto a street and attacked a Maltese terrier as it was being walked by its owner, grabbing the poor pooch by its throat.
The Seaford 43-year-old disability worker pleaded guilty to a range of dog attack causing death, animal at large and unregistered pet charges at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Frankston City Council prosecutor Scott Smith told the court a woman was walking her dog along a Seaford street at around 12.30pm on July 31 this year.
Suddenly three mastiff cross type dogs came running across a vacant block.
Two of them latched onto the little terrier, crushing its neck and killing it while the shocked and distressed owner could only look on.
Neighbours had heard the incident and called council rangers, who rounded up the attacking hounds.
The limit on the number of dogs allowed in that municipality is two per household, and none of the trio was registered.
Montey defended himself in court, saying he was truly remorseful.
“I came home to the horrible news,” he said.
“I want to do everything I can to put it behind me.”
He said his two older dogs were still at the pound, but the puppy, which was not involved in the attack, is back at his home and has now been registered.
Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said with owning any animal comes accountability.
“How traumatic would it have been for the owner to see her pet set upon by two dogs and killed,” Mr Lethbridge said.
“It is a very harrowing experience indeed.
“As you are the owner of the dogs, you are responsible for their behaviour.”
Montey was placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months, with a condition he pay $1500 to the court fund.
He was also ordered to repay council costs of $4254.
No conviction was recorded.
