A woman whose dingo mauled a small dog to death at Corio last March will pay more than $20,000 in fines and legal fees.
Geelong Magistrates’ Court found Koroit woman Robyn Beaton guilty of twice failing to securely enclose two dingoes she had kept at her Corio property.
During the second occasion on 5 March, 2018, one of the dingoes attacked a small dog belonging to a man in a wheelchair, the court heard.
The dog died despite owner Peter Mouat spending $3000 on veterinary fees to save it. Mr Mouat was unable to give evidence in court as he died a month later.
A witness saw a dingo grab the small dog with its jaws and shake it vigorously. Shortly afterwards the same witness saw cuts “all around” the dog’s neck, the court heard.
Beaton pleaded not guilty to the two charges, claiming she secured the dingoes, but after a two-day hearing the court found her guilty of both.
The magistrate fined her $1000 without conviction for the first incident and another $1000 with a conviction for the mauling.
The magistrate ordered Beaton to pay costs of $10,164 to Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP) for the care of the two dingoes since their seizure.
Senior DWELP officer Roberta Campbell said wildlife regulations outlined strict conditions for keeping dingoes.
“There are strict conditions requiring wildlife licence holders to house wildlife in secure enclosures that prevent escape,” she said.
“On this occasion, failure to adhere to wildlife licence conditions had serious consequences in the loss of a pet dog.”
DELWP would rehome the dingoes with “a suitably-licensed and experienced facility”, Ms Campbell said.
The authority cancelled Beaton’s wildlife licence and this January she applied unsuccessfully for its reinstatement at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“This result highlights the serious public safety aspects around keeping native wildlife,” Ms Campbell said.
“It also sends a strong message that DELWP forest and wildlife officers enforce wildlife licence conditions and treat any breaches seriously.
“We urge members of the public to report any suspected cases of wildlife cruelty, failure to adhere to wildlife licence conditions or unlicensed possession and trade.”
Members of the public could make an anonymous report by phoning 136 186, Ms Campbell said.
The magistrate also ordered Beaton to pay $8000 in legal fees to Geelong’s council.
