Frankston council wants Daniel Blake jailed over his dangerous dogs Nate and Narla
A Seaford man who failed to keep his dangerous dogs locked up has been told to prepare for a stint behind bars himself.
South East
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A Seaford man has been warned to expect a prison term after letting his dangerous dogs roam the streets for years, killing pets and putting his neighbours at risk.
Daniel Blake was on Wednesday told the local council was seeking a custodial sentence and at least two of 10 dog-related charges he plead guilty to on October 17 carried six month jail terms.
He was also warned he could be hit with a 10 year ban on owning a dog.
The 36-year-old, who has racked up more than $54,000 in fines, compensation and pound fees since 2021, fronted Frankston Magistrates Court to learn his fate over fresh offences.
The court heard Blake’s American staffy-like dogs Nate and Narla escaped his Seaford house overnight on August 25 and killed two pet rabbits.
Magistrate Gerard Bryant said Frankston council had not asked for the dogs to be destroyed, but wanted Blake to go to jail due to the “flagrant nature of the breaches”.
“You are looking at a likely sentence of imprisonment,” Mr Bryant said.
A previous hearing on October 17 was adjourned part-heard because Mr Bryant wanted Blake to seek legal representation before being sentenced over the serious charges.
However, while Blake received some advice from Legal Aid Victoria, he was not eligible to be represented by the service and returned to court on Wednesday without a lawyer.
“I am of the view that you should be legally represented,” Mr Bryant said.
He adjourned Blake’s sentencing to November 1.
“If you make little or no effort to be represented I will sentence you in absence of legal representation,” Mr Bryant said.
“It is not a step the court takes lightly.
“Your behaviour calls for serious consideration of a term of imprisonment.”
The court heard Blake’s “litany” of prior offences resulted in dozens of court appearances since 2021 to face charges including allowing his dogs to roam, rush people, attack other dogs and failing to register the animals.
He also failed to follow a court order to undertake sufficient works to ensure the dogs would be securely confined to his property.
Nate and Narla were declared dangerous in April which meant they were legally required to
be kept in a prescribed enclosure and wear muzzles when outside the premises.
“(The dogs) are a dangerous menace to the community and represent a real and present danger to other animals to members of the public,” Mr Bryant said.
Blake also plead guilty to a string of driving offences including drug driving, driving while unlicensed and driving an unregistered car.
His licence was cancelled and he was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined $500.
Blake said he understood why it was illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs but explained he had “ a problem” with meth for 10 years
Mr Bryant told Blake he would have to “get on top of your addiction” if he hoped to get back behind the wheel.
“You will not automatically get your licence back after 18 months,” he said.
“You will have to complete some sort of behavioural change program and produce clear drug screens.”
