Council forced back to court by appellant

In a Council meeting yesterday it was unanimously voted to continue with the legal proceedings in the case of the dangerous dog.

"Council is extremely frustrated by the actions of Mrs King," said Mayor Neil Sinclair. "After the second ruling in our favour at the district court, Council was confident that it was over; particularly after the opposition stated publically they wouldn't be appealing. Mrs King had actually started paying the reparation costs ordered during the second district court hearing; so we were very surprised by the second appeal."

This court case has been through two district court (and high court) hearings already. Both times the dangerous dog was found guilty of attacking pet rabbits, killing one. Both times the dog was ordered to be euthanized. Both times this has been appealed.

"Council has always been of the view that this dog is a danger to the community," said Council's Group Manager Environment Sharon Robinson. "For Council this has always been about public safety."

Mr Hall accepts that the cost of pursuing the case was high, however notes that this needs to be balanced against public safety. "It was never our intention to accrue this cost, nor keep a dog locked in the pound for over two years; however our hand was forced; and we were simply not prepared to compromise the safety of our community."

"This is the first time Council has been embroiled in such a long court battle regarding a dog attack. In most circumstances if a dog attacks and kills another person's pet, our staff work with the owner towards voluntarily handing the dog over to be euthanised. This happens successfully on a regular basis," said Mrs Robinson. "In this case, it did not happen, resulting in high cost and a dog being held in the pound for a tragically long time."

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