Jo-Ann Tesch of Pomona pleaded not guilty in Noosa Magistrates Court yesterday to a charge instigated by Noosa Council that carries a maximum penalty of $3000.
“I am the owner of the dog,” Ms Tesch told the court, “but I’m not guilty for what it has done.”
Ms Tesch said she did not order the dog to attack her then housemate Julie Harris in the underground carpark of the Noosa News building on June 6 in Noosa Junction.
Ms Harris was not in the court to hear the case adjourned for a fifth time to November 28 for hearing.
But the memories of what transpired that shocking afternoon – when three men struggled to hold the dog to the ground and police finally shot it on the spot – still haunt her.
“I still have nightmares (about the attack) three or four times a week,” Ms Harris said.
“The dog did not just bite me – it tried to eat me.”
Ms Harris said she has not recovered physically from the trauma and has a full-time carer.
She said police endured a lot of flak after the attack for their execution of the dog, but she has met the policeman who pulled the trigger and thanked him for his actions.
“I’m an animal lover, but the dog had the taste and it would have attacked again.”
Neapolitan mastiffs are descended from a line of dogs used in ancient warfare alongside the Romans and were also used for fighting with lions.
(sunshinecoastdaily.com.au - Sept 20, 2007)