American bulldogs owners win appeal over City to keep three dogs at property despite councillor push back
Three American bulldogs have been allowed to remain on a property in the City of Cockburn after their owners appealed the council’s decision and objections to the dogs remaining were withdrawn.
Cockburn council voted 7-2 at its Nov. 11 meeting to allow two-, three- and six-year-old dogs of undetermined gender to be kept on the property.
Municipal approval is required to keep more than two dogs over three months old.
The council rejected the application when it was first submitted in June and decided that one of the dogs would be rehomed within 60 days.
The applicants objected to the State Administrative Court, but before the trial began, one of the three objections to the proposal was withdrawn, and the other two objectors did not want to participate.
As a result, there was “no active opposition” to the proposal, a city report said.
City officials said the dogs were kept in accordance with community expectations and were unlikely to cause a problem.
A report presented to the June meeting said the only concern reported from the property was the disposal of dog faeces.
It was stated that the owners admitted that they threw dog feces in poop bags over the fence onto a vacant property.
Cr Chontelle Stone added a condition to the council’s approval that officers be allowed to inspect the property at least every six months until only two dogs remain.
“The owners were not responsible dog owners: it’s all in the report,” he said.
“They were throwing poop over the fence and were not responsible owners at all.
“That’s the best we can do, to make sure we control them if we let them.”
Cr Tarun Dewan said allowing three dogs would set an inconsistent precedent.
“Others will apply expecting the same treatment,” he said.
“It becomes impossible to justify subsequent rejection when the next case is less suitable.
“Three dogs, regardless of size, increase the risk of noise, odor and nuisance complaints, which are the number one complaint in our city.
“Cockburn is a growing suburban area. Greater animal rights belong to rural and semi-rural areas, not urban and rural areas.”
Details regarding the location of the property were kept secret.
