By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THE Casey Council has ruled to euthanize an American staffy after the dog mauled a 11- year-old child’s face at a Cranbourne North reserve.
The owner of the staffy, Mark Shelley faced the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 23 June where he escaped conviction.
Magistrate Pauline Spencer placed Mr Shelley on a good behaviour bond and fined him $1486 in court, pound and administration costs, payable in a year.
The court heard the young girl approached the dog, called Sam, to pat it on 3 March and was bitten, causing serious facial injuries.
The 11-year-old girl was rushed to hospital and put on a liquid diet for two weeks after the mauling.
She was off school for three weeks.
Mr Shelley surrendered Sam to the City of Casey on 7 April and the court heard he had been co-operative and apologetic.
“I am very sorry for the event and my heart goes out to the poor girl and her family,” Mr Shelley said in court.
He said his dog Sam was very well disciplined and obedient, putting the attack down to the way the girl leant towards Sam.
“That can be seen as an act of aggression by the dog,” Mr Shelley said, before asking for the fate of the dog.
Ms Spencer said Mr Shelley had been co-operative and was a person of good character.
“It’s such a serious injury and that does make it a serious matter, but I note the dog and yourself have otherwise not been in trouble before,” she said.
“The dog was surrendered and you co-operated from the get-go and are very remorseful and you are prepared to pay costs and that is going to have a big impact on you, given you are not earning an income at the moment.”
Mr Shelley told the court he was living with his family until he got a job.
