The council has also questioned the effectiveness of dog-attack legislation and will write to Banyule-based state MPs and the Department of Primary Industries to express its concerns.
Andrew Close, with his guide dog Matilda
who was attacked and killed by pit bulls.
As previously reported in the Heidelberg Leader, the Heidelberg Magistrates' Court found Tarren Braunton, of Heidelberg West, guilty of four charges relating to the incident on August 9, in which three dogs escaped his Plunkett St property.
On the night Allan Close, of Ivanhoe, was walking his cocker spaniel "Bosley'' and his brother Andrew's guide dog "Matilda'', when the attack happened at 8.30pm.
Brothers Andrew and Allan Close are devastated after
Andrew's guide dog, Matilda, was killed and Allan's dog,
Bosley, sustained neck injuries during the vicious attack.
Matilda fled the scene and was run over and killed by a car on Bell St.
The court found restricted pit bull mix "Buddy'' responsible for attacking Bosley, but two other dogs, a restricted pit bull mix, named "Rex'' and a bull terrier, named "Lara'', were deemed not at fault.
On October 25, the council indicated it would put down Buddy.
However, the council's chief executive Simon McMillan said it later decided to put down Rex as well after concerns the latter also posed a risk to the community.
Both dogs were destroyed on Friday, October 26.
Mr McMillan said the issue was being raised with state MPs and the DPI.
"The ruling reveals short comings in the effectiveness of the legislation in protecting community safety,'' Mr McMillan said.
Allan Close's dog, Bosley, sustained
neck injuries during the attack.
"Following a meeting with council officers on the same day, the owner consented to Rex to also be euthanized owing to concerns about the risk this animal posed to the community.''
Ivanhoe state Labor MP Anthony Carbines raised concerns over the court's ruling in Parliament on Thursday, October 25 and suggested the government consult with the council on how the legislation could be improved in the future.
(Leader News - Nov 2, 2012)
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