By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
Barristers Animal Welfare Panel has intervened to try to save a homeless woman’s dog and close companion Laura from being sentenced to death before Christmas.
A last-minute intervention by the panel on 5 December delayed a final decision by Greater Dandenong Council to kill the dog.
Its owner Kim Reeves has now been given 14 days to convince the council she can adequately house her eight-year-old rottweiller Laura, and comply with dangerous dog regulations.
Ms Reeves, 26, rejects Laura’s classification as a dangerous dog and allegations the dog killed a neighbour’s chickens.
She said Laura has never bitten a person and is her closest companion through years of drifting between rentals, boarding houses and sleeping rough.
The council argues that Ms Reeves is unable and unwilling to securely house the dog, which it considers a risk to public safety.
In recent months, the nationwide panel has prevented seven dogs being euthanised, rehomed a declared ‘dangerous dog’ to an animal sanctuary and successfully challenged a restricted-breed dog declaration.
National co-ordinator Meg Good said the panel intervened because “there is a risk to the animal’s life“.
“The panel is able to arrange for pro bono legal representation in cases where the animal’s life is at risk.”
She said her and panel director Mark Rinaldi were considering legal options to “save Laura from unnecessary destruction”.
Greater Dandenong’s regulatory services manager Peter Shelton said the council was “engaged in a legal process” with the dog owner and made no further comment.
