A man whose dog bit off part of another man’s nose at a soccer match in Cairnlea has been put on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
Sunshine Magistrates Court heard that a bull Arab-American staffy-cross belonging to labourer Hasim Degirmencioglu lunged at a Cairnlea soccer club volunteer who was crouching down while watching a match at Kevin Flint Memorial Reserve on June 21.
Club president Yagiz Adal said the victim, a 54-year-old father of four, lost part of his nose and was left in a state of shock.
The victim’s daughter said the dog’s leash was resting under Mr Degirmencioglu’s foot.
Mr Degirmencioglu pleaded guilty to owning a dog that had bitten a person causing serious injury, and failing to register the dog with the council.
Magistrate Martin Grinberg ordered Mr Degirmencioglu to pay Brimbank council $1200 to cover court fees and the cost of housing the dog while the investigation was under way.
He must also make a $600 donation to the RSPCA.
Mr Grinberg said he took into account the dog owner’s guilty plea, his co-operation with the council, and the victim’s behaviour in approaching the dog and crouching near it.
The dog was returned to his owner.
Mr Adal said the club had since banned dogs from the ground during training and on match days. He said the victim was the club’s main concern as he was “struggling emotionally and physically”.
Chairman of Brimbank administrators John Watson said he was satisfied with the decision.
“The success of this prosecution is a reminder that there are legal consequences if your dog attacks another person or animal,” he said.
