Dogs attack pony

By Tania Martin
A WANDIN EAST couple was last week devastated after they found two dogs had mauled their family pony.
Shirley McLeod and her husband discovered their pony, Lyric, had been attacked shortly after 5.30am on Sunday, 13 August.
Mrs McLeod said she was woken by the family dog who was acting agitated and barking.
She said it was unusual for their dog to be acting like that and asked her husband to go and have a look outside and see if something was wrong.
It was then that Mr McLeod discovered that the pony had been attacked and had sustained injuries to its stomach, neck, legs and ear.
Mrs McLeod said it was really disheartening to see Lyric lying on the ground with her side and neck ripped open.
“It’s like having a child attacked because your animals are a part of your family,” she said.
Mrs McLeod said after reporting the attack to the shire’s rangers, two dogs were apprehended at a nearby property.
Shire manager of community relations James Martin said the council was currently undertaking investigations into the attack on the pony.
Mr Martin said the shire has enough evidence against the dogs to take the matter to the Magistrates’ Court.
“Our ranger seized two large dogs from a property in Wandin East and they are being held at the Coldstream Pound, where they will remain until the investigation is concluded,” he said.
Mr Martin said if the matter does proceed to court the magistrate has the power to order to have the dogs put down and to fine the owners of the dogs.
“The fine for this type of attack can be as high as $5000. In addition court costs can be awarded against the dog owners, and they may also be required to reimburse the cost of the pony’s veterinary bills,” he said.