Killer-dog owner gets $850 fine

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http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/19/1047749826680.html
Killer-dog owner gets $850 fine
March 20 2003
By Selma Milovanovic


A woman was convicted and fined $850 yesterday after her "savage mongrel dog" fatally mauled a Holocaust survivor.

Debra Susan Marks, 40, pleaded guilty in Moe Magistrates Court to a charge of reckless conduct endangering a person.

It was the first time a criminal charge had been laid over a fatal dog attack in Victoria.

The court heard that Leon Tarasinski, 75, a Warsaw Ghetto survivor, went to the Pleasant Drive, Hernes Oak property where Marks lived to collect rent on February 16, 1999.

Marks's dog, a Rhodesian ridgeback cross named Harley, jumped on Mr Tarasinski and mutilated his lower leg.


Mr Tarasinski hobbled to his car and drove off. He died shortly afterwards from a heart attack caused by rapid blood loss.

Magistrate Clive Alsop said he could only sentence Marks on the basis of the criminal charge and not the tragic consequences. Marks was charged with keeping an aggressive vicious mongrel dog without lawful excuse in such a way that it could place a person in danger of serious injury.

Prosecutor Mark Regan told the court that Marks's "vicious mongrel dog" was on a 6.8-metre chain padlocked to his neck when he attacked Mr Tarasinski.

The chain was connected to an 18.5-metre cable, tied in a knot to an unsecure axle. He said the dog, which had a history of attacking animals, attacked a policeman before it was put down. Mr Regan said Marks first told police she felt responsible for Mr Tarasinski's death but later said she did not because the dog was there to protect the property.
Mr Regan said Marks told police she knew Harley would attack any person, especially a male, who came within range.

Defence counsel Mark Woods said that Mr Tarasinski, who had visited Marks several times, was "not unaware" of the dog and how it was secured. Had Mr Tarasinski visited a day later as arranged someone would have been there to attend to him.

Mr Woods said his client had been "fraught and distraught by the unfortunate death of Mr Tarasinski".

Mr Alsop said that in sentencing Marks in a case with extraordinary circumstances he was unaware of the details of a 2001 coroner's finding.

Coroner Edwin Batt had found that Marks contributed to Mr Tarasinski's death by "keeping an aggressive, vicious mongrel dog in such a way that it could, and would, attack".


While this is good news that an irresponsible owner has been prosecuted, why did it take the death of a man for the authorities to take any notice??? :x

Small wonder he attacked someone- I am willing to bet this poor dog was chained all the time, mistreated by at least one male, and mistreated generally to such an extent aggression towards other animals and ultimately humans was inevitable. :(

[mouseatthebusstop]

HE SHOULD HAVE GOT A LIFE BAN AS WELL :evil:

[Prairie_Gurl]

That's so sad (for the dog). I hope the owner goes to hell and burns. My philosophy: When you die, you're treated how you treat your dogs.