By Ben Cameron
Close to 100 people held a silent vigil for Mylo the dog outside Brimbank council’s Sunshine chambers last Tuesday night.
Holding placards with messages such as “Don’t waste ratepayers $”, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and “Please save Mylo”, supporters in the gallery pleaded for the dog’s release.
A Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing to determine Mylo’s fate was cancelled after his owner, Jessica Gray, sought a reprieve from Primary Industries Minister Peter Walsh to have him exempted from restricted-breed dog provisions under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Mylo has been on death row for more than two years.
During public question time, Jessica Gray and her mother, Sharon, asked the council to step in.
“Experts have said he is not a restricted breed,” Jessica said. “My DNA report says he’s a mix of four breeds. Under your code of conduct, you can and should appoint a mediator – you have that power.
“My little girl and I are suffering badly. Have you read the report done by a dog behaviour expert that says Mylo is so docile he could be a therapy dog? Only 3 per cent of dogs can be therapy dogs.”
Leading the vigil was celebrity priest Bob Maguire, who appeared on a cold winter’s night as a “dog lover and a spiritualist” to provide support and prayer for residents
“I was there to say, ‘There, there, there’,” he said. “I’ve never seen so many ashen faces and dropped jaws. I don’t know [if the dog should be put down] – I’m not taking sides.
“I’m not a local. I’m here to support whoever. If an administrator had stuck his head out and said ‘Hey, Maguire, over here’, I would have supported them, too.”
Council chairman John Watson read out a prepared statement that reminded the community tougher legislation had been introduced in September, 2011, following the tragic death of Ayen Chol from a pit bull dog attack in a St Albans home. “Eight months after the introduction of this legislation, Mylo was found roaming the streets,” Mr Watson said. “Under the law, Brimbank City Council cannot return or rehouse Mylo.”
