Tones and I charged after American bulldog Boss kills neighbour’s elderly cavoodle

It took three men to force an American bulldog to release the cavoodle it attacked after escaping singer Tones and I’s $7m Mount Eliza mansion.

Tones and I has been fined after her American bulldog escaped her property and attacked an elderly cavoodle, killing it.

An American bulldog belonging to pop sensation Tones and I has killed a 17-year-old cavoodle, after it escaped the star’s $7m Mornington Peninsula mansion.

The traumatic incident led to the singer songwriter’s pet being euthanized and saw her charged by the local council.

The deadly attack happened while the 32-year-old, whose real name is Toni Elizabeth Watson, was in the shower on a November day last year.

Mornington Peninsula Shire prosecutor Colin McLean told the Dromana Magistrates’ Court on Thursday that neighbour Wayne Schultz had set off on a walk with his two cavoodles when he noticed Watson’s chocolate labrador Charlie outside her Mount Eliza property, unable to get back in because the electric gates were closed.

Watson’s friend Tahlia had just arrived at the mansion and Mr Schultz called out to her that Charlie was outside.

Tones and I's bulldog Boss was euthanized after fatally attacking a cavoodle near his Mt Eliza home. Picture: Instagram

It was when Tahlia opened the gate to retrieve the labrador that American bulldog Boss escaped and launched at Mr Schultz’ 17-year-old cavoodle, biting it on the neck and refusing to let go.

It took three people to separate the dogs — Mr Schultz, Watson’s husband Jason “Jimmy” Bedford, and a passer-by.

By the time Boss released the elderly cavoodle from his jaws, it had died from its injuries, the court was told.

Mr Schultz was bitten on the knee and sustained a bruised eye during the attack, while the passer-by was also injured, receiving a fractured hand when he hit the bulldog in an attempt to separate the canines.

“The victim’s family are devastated by the loss of their family pet and the manner in which the dog died in front of them,” Mr McLean said.

Tones and I was unable to attend the hearing because she is in the US recording her latest album. Picture: Martin Ollman

The court was told Watson had visited her neighbours the night of the attack and they wept together about what had happened.

They wouldn’t accept Watson’s offer to pay for the $599 cremation, concluding the dog was old and would have required the service eventually.

Watson did not front up to court in person or virtually, instead sending barrister Cameron Scott to represent her.

Mr Bedford also attended in person.

Mr Scott said his client was in the US recording her next album and it wasn’t practical for her to attend.

However, he said Watson was taking the matter “very seriously” and accepted responsibilty for what happened.

The court ordered Watson to pay a fine of $3000 and the council’s costs of $140 for failing to securely confine the two dogs and failing to re-register the American bulldog.

It’s not the first time the star has been taken to court in recent years after Frankston Council charged her company over unauthorised building works.

The company pleaded guilty to three charges including illegal building works and failing to comply with a stop work notice.

The company, of which Ms Watson is the sole director, was fined $20,000.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Tones and I charged after American bulldog Boss kills neighbour’s elderly cavoodle