Dog owner's simple beach mistake leads to hefty $806 fine amid statewide crackdown: 'Very unfair'
Gold Coast man John has been taking his pet poodle Emma for a paddle in Queensland's waterways for 11 years. But this time, it came at a price.
Dog owner John has been taking his pet poodle Emma for a ride in his kayak for 11 years. But recently, doing what he always does, the Gold Coast man copped an eyewatering $806 fine.
It wasn't for paddling the waterways with his best friend in tow but for having his pet unrestrained during the 10-metre walk from his van to the water's edge along Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise.
For years, the Gold Coast man has been driving down to the water and carrying his kayak across the tiny stretch of sand, Emma is often by his side or in the kayak itself. But this time, his routine earned him a hefty infringement from council.
The fine comes amid a statewide crackdown on dog owners following a spike in serious dog attacks across Queensland. From August, on-the-spot fines more than doubled for owners who fail to control their dogs in public spaces — jumping from $322 to $806.
In September, a Queensland business owner was left in tears after she too was slapped with a $806 fine. Robyn was taking a coffee break outside her store at Moffat Beach on the Sunshine Coast when she was approached by council workers.
She told Yahoo News her eight-year-old Blue Heeler was on a lead which was under her foot, and not in her hand. This simple mistake was deemed a fineable offence by council.
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Like Robyn, John was baffled as to how council concluded he was being irresponsible. He said it was "very unfair" and argued it was just a few metres and that it had never been an issue until now.
"Just before I got to the water, [the council worker] ran up with his partner and said 'hey mate, stop I wanna talk to you' and he just swopped in and started asking me questions," he told A Current Affair on Saturday.
The council officer allegedly asked for his name and address but mentioned nothing of a fine. So John was shocked when, a few days later, he received a phone call to say he was "guilty of having a dog off a lead".
It was then he copped a fine to the value of $806 for "failure to exercise effective control of a non-regulated dog in a public place".
Dog owner claims he 'did nothing wrong'
There are allegedly signs further along the beach stating the rule — that dogs must be on a leash at all times. While taking a walk, Johm argues Emma is always on a lead.
"But I wasn't wandering along a footpath or in public areas, I was just travelling a few metres from the car to the water. I really didn't think that I was doing anything wrong," he said.
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Gold Coast City Council told the program, "Officers will provide both an enforcement and educational approach when issuing infringements."
But John feels he should have been let off with a warning on this occasion, since he's never been in trouble with Emma before.
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