AN inquest into the mauling death of four-year-old Ayen Chol in St Albans last August will examine events leading up to the dog attack.
Coroner Kim Parkinson said dog regulations and Brimbank Council’s policies would also come under the spotlight during the inquest, to be held later this year.
Ayen was fatally attacked in a St Albans home by a neighbour’s unregistered dog, believed to be a pit bull-cross.
The dog also attacked her five-year-old cousin and an aunt before turning on the girl as she clung to the leg of her mother, Jaclin Appok.
The dog was put down the next day and police later charged a St Albans man, 57, over the attack, which was one of almost three dozen in Brimbank in the past 12 months.
Ayen’s death prompted a raft of new laws to be rushed through State Parliament.
They make the owner of a dog accountable for any injury or death the animal may cause.
Owners of dangerous, menacing or restricted-breed dogs face up to 10 years’ jail if their dog kills another person. Any dog identified as an American pit bull terrier that is not registered can be seized and destroyed.
Ms Parkinson said the inquest would examine how Ayen died, the nature of the attack, how the dog had been secured and how it escaped.
She will also consider how such dogs are regulated and broader management issues.
In November, the council had 14,225 dogs registered across Brimbank , including 52 dangerous dogs and 47 restricted-breed pit bulls.
Council chief executive Nick Foa said that, like the rest of the community, the council remained horrified, shocked and saddened at Ayen’s tragic death.
“As the matter is now subject to a coronial inquest scheduled for August this year, council is unable to make any further comment at present, other than to confirm it will co-operate fully with the authorities when the coronial inquest commences.”
The dog’s owner, witnesses and council staff are expected to front the inquest, due to begin on August 27.
