Dog owner Christie Hollis convicted after pet’s second attack

A court has heard a man was forced to pry open a dog’s mouth to rescue his family’s puppy. The older canine had already been declared a menace following another incident.

An American staffordshire terrier. File picture: iStock.

A magistrate has ordered a dog be put down after it was responsible for two separate attacks in the space of a year.

Its owner Christie Hollis appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to five charges under the Domestic Animals Act.

The court heard that on June 14, a couple and their adult son were walking their dogs on Wingarra Dr in Grovedale when Hollis’ American staffy, Asher, came charging at them without a leash or muzzle.

The dog “lunged with an open mouth, baring teeth” and grabbed Wednesday, a German shepherd puppy.

The couple’s son prised the staffy’s mouth open to free Wednesday and wrestled with it on the ground.
It responded by snapping its jaws at him, leading him to pull his head back and “puff out his chest” to avoid being bitten.

The family managed to put a chain around the staffy and took it to their home, where they secured it until Geelong council rangers arrived.

Wednesday the German shepherd was not injured in the attack, while the son received a small laceration to his finger.

The court heard Asher had attacked a person in July 2023, after which it was declared a menacing dog.

Hollis appeared in court in April over the attack.

She was convicted, fined $3000, along with more than $8000 in costs, and placed on an adjourned undertaking.

Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge on Tuesday said the court had “no alternative” but order the dog be put down as a matter of public safety, given the fact it was the second attack.

“This is a very regrettable incident and the court has no pleasure in making the order,” he said, stating it was “simply a public interest the dog should not be at large”.

Hollis, who works as a cleaner and is the sole breadwinner supporting a family of seven, told the court her dog had only been back in her home for a few weeks before the incident occurred.

She said she had taken measures to ensure the dog did not get out, however on the day of the attack the dog “made a hole” in a window’s flyscreen and got out.

She said the dog had separation issues after being in the council’s custody for nine months.

“My dog is not dangerous, she needs training,” Hollis said.

“I have not been able to put anything into this dog … she’s an American staffy who grunts and groans.

“She’s really not a dangerous dog, she is beautiful.”

Hollis cited the fact the dog was uninjured and the finger injury was minor, but Mr Lethbridge was unconvinced.

“This was a clear example of an aggressive dog who should not have been out, who was out, (and) who attacked another dog,” he said.

Hollis was convicted, ordered to pay costs of $4815, and placed on a 12-month adjourned undertaking.

Mr Lethbridge said he saw “little purpose” in slapping Hollis with another fine, given she now owed more than $13,000.

Originally published as Dog owner Christie Hollis convicted after pet’s second attack