Spearwood dog attacks greyhound

The City of Cockburn's response to 6PR & 10 News on 26 March, about the fatal dog attack on a greyhound in Spearwood -

Dog attacks within the City are commonly reported, but incidents with such severity are uncommon.
Irrespective of the outcome of a dog attack, all incidents are taken seriously by the City and are responded to and investigated with priority and with the oversight of the City’s Ranger Service management.
 
The City has a risk matrix it uses to establish the City’s punitive actions or if it is in the community’s interest to prosecute an offending dog’s owner. The City is limited to what penalties can be imposed on owners, and must comply with State legislation – the Dog Act 1976.
 
The City has declared the dog that attacked Holly as dangerous and will prosecute its owner. Penalties can range up to $10,000 if convicted, and the Courts may impose a Destruction Order and award legal cost.
The City cannot order the destruction of a dog in matters such as this without an order from a Court.
 
The dog was seized under warrant by the City on 26 March, and will not be released, until the owner complies with enhanced fencing and property requirements. The City has done all it can within the legal powers provided by State law.
 
This incident ended in tragic circumstances and we are deeply saddened for the owners and witnesses of the attack. We understand that they, and some members of the community, are going through terrible grief at this time.
 
The City is committed to seeing the matter pursued through the justice system, while offering support to the owners and keeping them updated on any developments.
Given that the matter will go before the courts, it is not appropriate for the City to make any further comment on the prosecution.

Response to 6PR:

The media response released on 23 March 2021 incorrectly indicated there was no prior history of the dog attacking any other dog and this was clarified in a subsequent statement.
The fact was not identified initially, as the investigation was still unfolding at the time the statement was being drafted. The City apologises for any misunderstanding or confusion.
After the attack on the kelpie on 6 February, the attacking dog’s owner was infringed $400 as this was a first offence as the City had no record of prior attacks involving this dog.