Owners fined for two dog attacks

Press, 6 October 1989, Page 11

Owners fined for two dog attacks

Two separate dog attacks resulted in fines of $l5O being imposed on the owners by Judge Holderness in the District Court yesterday. In each case he directed half the fines be paid to the victims of the attacks.

The Judge made no orders for the dogs’ destruction. He said they had not been roaming round uncontrolled.

Beverley Lilian Gilchrist, aged 40, pleaded guilty to owning a Dobermann Rottweiller cross dog which attacked Wendy Helen Mathias on July 13. Sergeant Robin Scott said the complainant was bitten on a leg after calling at Gilchrist’s house. The Judge said he ac-

cepted “with some reservations” the submission by defence counsel, Mrs Margaret Sewell, that the dog had managed to open a door and leave the house and attack the complainant. However, even if the door was left partially open it was clear the dog was inside the house before the incident. It was a different situation from a dog roaming round outside. The intention was for the dog to remain inside the house.

There was no suggestion that the animal had attacked other persons previously.

The incident was not a minor one, however, and legitimate callers were entitled to expect not to be imperilled in this way. Adrienne Pamela Whit-

worth, aged 27, a housewife, pleaded guilty to a charge of being the owner of a German shepherd dog which attacked William Harold Mummery on July 15.

Sergeant Scott said the complainant was attacked and bitten about his legs when he called at Whitworth’s house, selling scout mints. Submissions on Whitworth’s behalf were that she had taken reasonable steps to ensure the dog was not dangerous. The gate could not be opened by a child. A sign warned of the dog, and that callers entered at their own risk. Fencing had been altered to give visitors access to the front door.