Almost 300 Brimbank residents have been attacked by dogs in the past three years.
The council investigated 276 attacks between 2011 and 2013, the most recent in Cairnlea where the victim went to hospital with severe injuries.
The most horrific case was the death of four-year-old St Albans girl Ayen Chol, who was attacked by a pitbull cross that escaped a neighbouring home. The unregistered dog was put down and its owner fined $11,000.
There are 62 restricted-breed or dangerous dogs registered with the council.
A restricted-breed dog includes those which have not attacked a person or animal but are considered a higher risk to community safety, while a dangerous dog is one with a history of causing death or serious injury to a person or animal by biting or attacking.
It’s an issue that has come to the fore recently with the case of Mylo, a Sunshine West dog placed on death row after escaping the family home and being seized by a Brimbank council officer.
The council claims the dog is a restricted-breed pitbull, while owner Jessica Gray believes Mylo is an American Staffordshire terrier cross.
Through state Primary Industries Minister Peter Walsh, lawyer Alysha Tuziak is seeking to have Mylo exempted from restricted-breed provisions of the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
City development director Stuart Menzies said animal management and controls for dangerous and restricted-breed dogs was a priority for the council.
“The tragic death of Ayen Chol . . . is a graphic reminder of why all members of the community must take responsibility for their animals. It’s important owners understand that vigilance is required at all times.”
