A MAN pleaded guilty today to owning a dog that killed a four-year old girl in a savage attack at her St Albans home.
Ayen Chol was mauled to death by a neighbour’s pit bull mastiff on August 17 last year.
Defence lawyer Rob Stary told Sunshine Magistrates Court that Lazor Josevski, 57, pleaded guilty to four charges over the fatal dog attack.
Josevski, who was charged by summons and was not required to attend court today, admitted to one count of owning a dog that attacked and killed a person, two counts of owning a dog that attacked and caused serious injury and owning an unregistered dog.
Mr Stary said the actual owner of the dog had been Josevski’s son, Nick, who had been overseas at the time of the attack.
He said Josevski accepted it was his fault the dog had killed Ayen because it was under his control.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Danielle Todisco said Josevski lived with his wife and three adult children in St Albans and usually kept the pit bull in the backyard.
He had just arrived home on August 17 and drove into the garage, closing the roller door behind him.
Constable Todisco said somehow the roller door did not close properly and the dog escaped.
The dog approached two adults and a child outside on the street and became aggressive.
The family were frightened and ran into the Chols’ home.
The dog followed and started attacking children in the home.
It initially attacked Ayen’s five-year-old cousin Nyadeng Goaer, biting the back of her head before turning on Ayen, who was mauled as she clung to her mother’s leg in the kitchen.
Constable Todisco said the dog refused to let go of Ayen despite the frantic efforts of the adults inside the house to pry her free.
She suffered serious injuries to her head and neck and later died.
The Domestic Animals Act was amended in the wake of Ayen’s death.
Under the changes, owners of dangerous dogs that cause death face 10 years’ jail.
Ayen’s parents, Jacklin Ancatto and Mawien Chol Monjang, were in court today to see Josevski face charges over their daughter’s death.
They declined to comment but a family spokeswoman said they were happy and relieved Josevski had pleaded guilty to the charges.
Josevski has written a letter of apology to Ayen’s parents and offered to pay compensation.
Mr Stary said Josevski wanted to minimise the trauma suffered by the girl’s family.
Because he was charged before the new laws took effect, Josevski faces a maximum penalty of a $4500 fine.
The case was adjourned for a plea hearing on May 31.
The dog has been destroyed.
