The future of a Sunshine West dog on death
row could be placed in the hands of the Governor-in-Council after its owner withdrew an application for a review at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The owner, Jessica Gray, has been in and out of VCAT and the Supreme Court for two years after Brimbank council picked up Mylo walking alone and unregistered in May 2012.
The council believes Mylo is a restricted- breed dog and should be put down.
But Ms Gray last week made an application to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh for the dog to be exempted by the Governor-in-Council – in consultation with relevant officials – from the restricted breed provisions under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
A council spokesman said it was disappointing the matter “continues to be drawn out”.
“Had the dog been properly registered, this situation would never have occurred,” he said.
“At all times council has acted in accordance with the relevant legislation as it applies to restricted-breed dogs. [The council] remains committed to providing a safe community for all residents and pets.”
An experienced dog obedience instructor has described Mylo as gentle and stable.
Star Weekly has seen a behaviour profile assessment carried out at the Lost Dogs Home in North Melbourne on May 30 which found: “Mylo is predictable, stable, responsive, gentle and actively seeks an emotional connection with those around him.”
“Mylo has a default response of seeking comfort and intimate interaction via licking,” the report stated. “Mylo has strong natural self-control behaviour. I was not able to induce any behaviour that would be considered unacceptable, aggressive or socially undesirable in any way.”
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Ben Cameron
