Fine for owner of dog that ripped man’s hand as he rode his mobility scooter
A lawyer for the “remorseful” owner of a dog that left a Frankston grandfather needing a skin graft told court the attack was out of character for her beloved Boxer who was like a support dog for her disabled children.
South East
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A woman whose dog ripped open a grandfather’s hand so badly he had to have skin grafts has been handed a fine.
Melanie Elizabeth Kent’s boxer Amy attacked 69-year-old Gary Ward as he rode his mobility scooter along a Frankston street on February 2.
Mr Ward had stopped to chat with Kent but Amy, who was on a long lead, suddenly launched at him, snapping her jaws down on his left hand.
Frankston Magistrates’ Court heard he yelled out “in pain and shock”, but Kent just walked away in the opposite direction.
The mum, 44, yesterday pleaded guilty to owning a dog that bit a person causing serious injury, failing to have effective control of a dog in public and failing to register a dog charges at court.
Frankston City Council prosecutor Bruce Gardiner told the court Mr Ward went to Frankston Hospital and was treated with a skin graft for a severe wound.
The aftermath of the incident was recorded on video by a neighbour, posted on social media and picked up by television news.
The next day Kent, from Frankston, reported herself to the council and the dog, which wasn’t registered, was taken to the pound.
Her defence lawyer said Kent, a part-time pharmacy assistant, was remorseful about the attack which was out of character for her beloved pet.
He said Amy was like a support dog for the mother’s two disabled children and was a much-loved member of their family.
He said the Boxer became scared and snapped when Mr Ward reached out to pat her and said the lack of registration had simply been an oversight.
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Magistrate Julian Ayres said Mr Ward’s wound was “pretty bad”.
“The injury is at the higher end,” Mr Ayres said.
“On any interpretation it is serious, he required surgery and skin grafts.”
He said even though Amy was on a leash, Kent was not in effective control of her.
“Obviously you didn’t intend for this to occur,” he said.
“You had no indication the dog would act in this way. It wasn’t running and wildly attacking people.”
Kent was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $699 in council costs. No conviction was recorded.
Amy, who is still in the pound, is expected to be released back to the family.