Queensland dog owner fined $800 for animal offence

A clothing shop boss has shared her furious thoughts over an $808 fine from her local council which claimed she didn’t have her dog properly restrained.

Sunshine Coast boutique Whit & Watt owner Robyn revealed in a video to her business’ Instagram page last week that she was initially issued a warning, but later received the hefty fine in the mail.

The initial confrontation unfolded a few weeks ago when she was sitting at the front of the shop in Moffat Beach with her deaf dog Violet.

Council officers claimed Violet was not properly restrained, but Robyn argued she was, because she was wearing a collar and leash, which at the time was under the owner’s foot.

According to Robyn and her employee Gracie, the council officers agreed to issue a warning, in lieu of a fine.

Despite flagging her concern the following day over the phone, she later received an email informing her that she would be received a $808 fine.

In an appeal to overturn the decision, she claimed the business was struggling to keep its doors open in such “tough times”.

She also highlighted how disturbed she was over the decision to issue a fine, despite having earlier been given a warning.

“We have got four stops signs in this area, the majority of cars don’t stop. Instead they’d rather waste their time and pick on me,” she said in the video.

She appealed for support and help in the video, with what she described as “unjust” behaviour from the council.

Robyn has vowed to continue fighting the fine, and said she was willing to go to court if necessary.

Sunshine Coast Council on its website stated its laws were updated in line with the Queensland Government changes that, from July 31, implemented tougher dog owner penalties.

“The Queensland Government has updated the penalty for not effectively controlling your dog in a public place. An on-the-spot fine will increase to $806,” the site read.

“This includes having a dog off-leash in an on-leash area. Or, if the dog is in an off-leash area, the owner must be able to control the dog using voice command.”

Sunshine Coast Council has been contacted for comment.

Supporters for Robyn’s case have come out in force in response to her video, agreeing the fine was unjustified and should be dropped.

“Council should be ashamed of themselves for what they’re doing to people,” one person wrote.

“Sounds like the council are trying to find excuses to generate revenue,” another said.

“This dog owner bullying is abhorrent, and hides behind the insidious guise of revenue gathering. It’s sickening behaviour and truly distresses the locals,” a third wrote.