Dog owner handed almost $6K fine for Kingston dog attack in front of children

A Hobart Magistrate has sentenced the owner of a dog that attacked another dog and its owner in a suburban street, witnessed by two young children. What the Magistrate had to say.

Magistrates Court in Hobart CBD. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

A southern Tasmanian man has been ordered to pay almost $6000 after his unregistered dog left his property and attacked another dog and its owner, leading to both dogs being put down.

Trent Pennicott, 33, did not appear before Hobart Magistrate Marica Duvnjak on Thursday despite entering a guilty plea to all seven counts against the Dog Control Act.

The counts included failing to register a dog over the age of six months, failing to ensure a dog is not at large, a dog attacking a person causing serious injury and a dog attacking an animal causing death.

The facts and sentence were handed down in his absence.

The court heard that on November 15 2023, Kingborough Council received reports of a dog attacking an animal causing death and attacking an owner.

Dog attack generic Townsville.

This report was placed by the owner of the deceased dog named Clifford, whose wife had been walking Clifford in Corlacus Drive, Kingston when Mr Pennicott’s dog – a three-and-a-half-year-old American Pocket Bulldog – escaped its yard and attacked him.

Mr Pennicott’s dog also bit the woman on the hand, which required medical treatment.

Clifford’s injuries were so extensive, he had to be euthanised.

The owner’s two young children witnessed the shocking attack.

A council animal officer visited Mr Pennicott’s home following the attack where Mr Pennicott claimed ownership of the dog and said it had escaped his premises and planned to visit the victims and pay compensation.

Clifford’s owners have not yet received any compensation.

Mr Pennicott’s lawyer said this was a “very serious attack” and Mr Pennicott had euthanised his own dog just a week after the attack.

Hobart Magistrates Court, Liverpool St. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

“The attack was witnessed by children who had to see their pet severely injured,” he said.

“This attack is at the higher end of seriousness.

“Very few cases like this have been sentenced in this court.”

Magistrate Duvnjak stated the only mitigating factor in sentencing was that the dog was put down, with Mr Pennicott’s guilty plea entered just a day before sentencing.

“I’ve heard the facts and accept counsel’s finding that this is a serious breach of Dog Control Act,” she said.

“Not only was a dog injured so badly it was required to be put down, it also bit one of the owners of the animal and it was witnessed by the owner’s children, which would obviously be highly traumatising for the children.

“A significant fine is warranted and 71 penalty units is the maximum that can be given.”

Magistrate Duvnjak recorded a conviction for all seven counts and imposed a fine of $4646, plus court costs.

Mr Pennicott was also ordered to pay $906.83 to Clifford’s owners for vet, doctor and pet cremation expenses.

A hearing to decide on costs for Kingborough Council will be held on March 17.

Originally published as Dog owner handed almost $6K fine for Kingston dog attack in front of children