Government worker couple Jessica Rose-Berkeley, Daniel Lieneman face Ipswich Court for ‘gruesome’ dog attack

Two government workers have faced court over their dogs’ ‘gruesome’ attack on another pet, which had to be put down as a result, just days after the same pet dogs terrorised two children in the street.

Daniel Lieneman and Jessica Rose-Berkeley leave Ipswich Court on March 1, 2024. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An Ipswich City Council employee and her corrections worker partner have faced court after their two American Staffies escaped and mauled another dog, leaving it with “gruesome” injuries that led to it to being put down.

Ipswich Magistrates’ Court heard the devastating incident occurred just days after the dogs had escaped in a seperate incident and chased down two children playing in their yard.

Leichhardt parents Daniel Lieneman and Jessica Rose-Berkeley, both 29, each pleaded guilty on March 1 to 10 charges related to the two incidents.

These included two counts of failing to ensure a dog does not attack or cause fear (causing death to an animal), two counts of failing to ensure a dog does not attack or cause fear, four counts of failing to ensure an animal does not wander, and two counts of failing to register a dog in a relevant local government area.

Ipswich City Council prosecutor Simon Wall said the couple’s two american staffordshire terriers had first escaped their Leichhardt home on June 26, 2023.

Mr Wall said two young brothers were playing in their front yard in Ipswich that afternoon when they were “rushed at” by the dogs.

He said the youngest boy was knocked over by one of the dogs, who then stood over him and barked at him.

The other dog chased the older boy down the street after “aggressively rushing at him”, Mr Wall said.

Then on June 29, the couple’s two dogs escaped again and attacked a dog named Rufus.

Ipswich City Council worker Jessica Rose-Berkeley leaves Ipswich Court on March 1, 2024. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Mr Wall said Rufus was enclosed in a yard when the two dogs pulled him through the fence and “mauled” him.

The court heard a passing motorist saw what was happening and managed to separate the dogs.

Rufus was taken to the vet, with part of his nose “completely degloved”, puncture wounds to his ear, neck, and cheek, along with extensive subcutaneous emphysema.

The court heard Rufus was put down as a result of his injuries.

Mr Wall said the attacks were “vicious” and “unprovoked,” causing “great fear” to the two boys, along with a “gruesome death” for Rufus.

He suggested Lieneman and Rose-Berkeley be fined $10,000, to be split between them.

But defence barrister Justin Sibley said his clients should receive a lesser fine, as they had not been aware the dogs were dangerous.

Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne noted he had dealt with around three cases involving American Staffies in the last few weeks, calling the breed “infamous”.

But Mr Sibley argued any dog breed had the capacity to “switch” temperament, and there was no material suggesting his clients had reason to think that these specific dogs were dangerous.

Department of Corrections worker Daniel Lieneman leaves Ipswich Court on March 1, 2024. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Mr Sibley said the couple had been aware the dogs had escaped on the first occasion, but they did not hear about the incident involving the children until after the attack on Rufus had already occurred.

They had attempted to secure the dogs properly after the first escape, but the dogs had had “gotten a taste for freedom” and dug a hole to escape the second time, Mr Sibley said.

He said his clients sympathised with the victim dog’s owner, as they had also suffered the loss of their family pets because of what happened.

The court heard the couple’s two dogs were both put down after the attack on Rufus.

Mr Sibley said the couple would not be buying pets again until they owned their own home and were able to make the necessary changes to secure the pets properly.

He said neither of his clients had any criminal history, and the incident had caused Ms Rose-Berkeley embarrassment at her workplace.

Mr Byrne acknowledged the couple had faced responsibility for what had happened.

He fined them $2000 each, along with additional court costs.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Government worker couple Jessica Rose-Berkeley, Daniel Lieneman face Ipswich Court for ‘gruesome’ dog attack