Fight to save beloved dog sentenced to death
A Victorian woman is hoping a last ditch legal bid could save her much-loved pet from being destroyed.
Jade Applebee was given just one hour to say goodbye to her beloved dog, Kerser, who was due to be put down yesterday under Victoria's dangerous dog laws.
Jade believes Kerser is an American Staffordshire cross, but when he escaped from her Mount Waverley back yard last December City of Monash council officers seized the dog and judged it to be an American Pitbull Terrier.
As he was unregistered, authorities ruled the dog needed to be put down under the state's Breed Specific Legislation.
The law requires dangerous breeds, such as pit bulls, to be specially registered and owners must follow strict rules or their dogs face euthanasia.
"These laws were introduced with the best of intention to protect the community," Monash Mayor Micaela Drieberg said.
Jade lost a VCAT appeal, and an application to have her case heard by the Supreme Court.
However, she has won widespread public support, with close to 30,000 people signing an online Facebook petition to save Kerser's life.
"He's just so happy," Jade insisted. "He's never shown any sign of aggression."
Just hours before he was due to be put down, Jade's lawyer lodged one final appeal, granting the dog a death row reprieve and Jade more time to fight her cause.
"I'm hoping that an error of law will be found," Jade said.
Kerser will be kept at the RSPCA where he will be put down next Thursday, unless Jade's legal team can prove that an associate justice made a mistake in rejecting her bid for a Supreme Court hearing.
