Gerald Lynch
This story was originally published in August 2024 and Star Weekly has chosen to share it again for readers to enjoy.
When Sharon Taylor’s staffy, Boof, was seized by Brimbank council last year, she was assured her dog would be fine. Seven months later, he was destroyed by the council.
Ms Taylor is now vowing to advocate for change, so no other pet owner has to go through her pain.
On December 27 last year, she walking Boof, on a leash, through Sunshine as she regularly would, when the pair encountered a small Maltese terrier on a leash with another owner.
She said the dog was aggressive to Boof, causing him to retaliate and attack the smaller dog, requiring it to need stitches and medication, but the dog has since recovered.
At the end of February, Boof was seized by council. Ms Taylor said that despite being assured at the time that Boof would not be put down, he never returned home.
“Council claimed to have sent a letter about their decision on July 3, which I never received,” she said.
“Then on August 1 we received a letter dated July 26 stating that Boof would be destroyed, and it stated they didn’t hear from us for a request to review the decision.
“Despite our attempts to prevent this by calling and emailing, we discovered on August 5 that Boof had already been destroyed a week prior.
“The handling of this situation has been profoundly disturbing and lacking in basic dignity. I am dedicated to advocating for changes in the laws and procedures governing such cases.
“It is unacceptable for a council to issue a decision to destroy a dog via standard mail … and to deny our family an opportunity to say goodbye.
“The destruction of a dog on a leash with a first offense is disgraceful.”
Ms Taylor said she made regular visits to Boof after he was seized and raised concerns about his care, including that he had developed pressure sores and had overgrown nails.
She said council stopped taking her calls, citing the case’s transition to court.
“The court date was June 27, where Boof was found guilty, and the judge waived the pound fees but required me to pay the vet bills.
“After the court ruling, I repeatedly contacted council on June 28, July 3, and July 5, but they refused to speak with me. My emails requesting updates went unanswered.”
Ms Taylor said she was devastated to lose her best friend, and felt like council didn’t show any care.
“I had Boof for just over three years. After my father-in-law passed away, Boof had nowhere to go, so I took him in. He quickly became my best friend and a crucial support for my anxiety and depression,” she said.
Council’s letter on July 26 stated that Ms Taylor could collect Boof following destruction if she wanted to, however when she asked to collect his ashes last week, she was told he was cremated with other dogs so this was not possible.
A Brimbank council spokesperson said, “This matter has been resolved with the owner. Council does not comment on individual matters for privacy reasons”.
