Moreton Bay council barks back at ‘unlawful’ dangerous dog declaration claims

A South East Queensland council has hit back at claims it unlawfully euthanised animals or fined pet owners over a seven-year period in which it declared more than 250 dogs as dangerous.

Moreton Bay City Council has lashed out at claims it unlawfully euthanised animals or fined pet owners over a seven-year period in which it declared more than 250 dogs as dangerous.

Internal documents revealed that from 2016-22 Moreton Bay council made 293 dangerous dog declarations, yet only 12 had the necessary state authorisation.

In a statement, the council said all decisions made in relation to dog declarations over the period were audited in 2022, and dangerous and menacing dogs were declared only after an incident involving an attack on a person or another animal.

City of Moreton Bay Council has defended its dangerous dog declarations policy.

The council said that after the audit an “administrative oversight” was found, however all the original declaration decisions were upheld and approved.

“There has been no breach of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008,” the council said.

“During this period, the council knows of no animals being euthanised because of a declaration. No residents were inappropriately charged for dangerous dog declarations.

“Council works hard to ensure our community is protected from dangerous dogs, and all decisions made on regulated dogs have been administered in a way that unapologetically prioritises safety.”

Biosecurity Queensland said it had not received any referrals of dog declarations in the past decade from any council, as its role did not include reviewing dog declarations or appeals, which fall under local government jurisdiction.

Moreton Bay had one of the lowest rates of dangerous dog declarations across the southeast, regulating 27 in the past year, with four dangerous dogs euthanised.

In comparison, Logan City Council issued 681 dog infringements valued at $293,279.

Logan has also advocated for tougher state laws after two dogs mauled Energex worker Kane Minion, 42, to death in the suburb of Greenbank in 2022.

Energex worker Kane Minion was mauled to death by two dogs in Logan in 2022.

The council impounded the two dogs, a bandog bull-mastiff and a rhodesian ridgeback, but eventually put down both after Queensland police conducted an investigation.

In its citywide crackdown over the past year, Logan issued fines of $22,835 to dog owners not following required standards for keeping a declared dog.

A Logan council spokesman said the council was serious about holding residents accountable, and in May this year, successfully prosecuted a Woodridge resident after her dog attacked a person, causing severe injury in 2023.

The woman was found guilty, and a court ordered her to pay $6473.40 in fines and costs as the council moved to send a strong message to irresponsible dog owners.

“Logan uses a range of enforcement tools such as fines for dog owners along with regulating menacing or dangerous dogs, compliance orders, destruction orders, and prosecutions,” the Logan spokesman said.

“Following serious dog attacks in the city, Logan strongly advocated for state legislative reform to implement tougher laws relating to the management of dogs and increased levels of personal responsibility for pet owners through an industry task force.”

The state government increased animal management penalties in July and August after Logan played a role in advocating for tougher controls to deal with dangerous dogs.

Logan Mayor Jon Raven was also appointed to head a taskforce to push for further reforms.

Police attend a Logan address after Energex worker Kane Minion was mauled to death by two dogs in 2022.

Ipswich City Council has declared 14 dogs dangerous, with one euthanised in the past 12 months.

The year before, four dogs were put down and 17 declared dangerous, with three classified as menacing in the city.

This was an increase from 2022, when Ipswich declared 12 dangerous and five menacing.

Ipswich conducts annual audits of dangerous dog declarations and reports a small number of euthanisations after such declarations.

Redland City Council has classified 28 dogs as regulated in the past 12 months, with 106 currently deemed menacing or dangerous.

Redland officers are authorised to declare regulated dogs in accordance with the Animal Management Act, and they review authorisations, delegations, and appointments every year.

In Brisbane, there are 123 dogs registered as dangerous with 73 classified as menacing.

Originally published as Moreton Bay council barks back at ‘unlawful’ dangerous dog declaration claims