A homeless man living in parked cars at a Launceston park has failed to overturn a council decision declaring his two German Shepherds dangerous.
The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) found there was reasonable cause to believe ‘Shadow’ and ‘Titan’ were likely to cause serious injury to a person or animal.
The dogs’ owner had been living with his adult son in vehicles at St Leonards Park since 2023, with both dogs typically tethered to a ute in the public space.
The council’s case centred on three alleged attacks, including an incident at a shopping centre car park in May last year where a woman was bitten on the arm.
The victim told the tribunal she was walking past a white ute when one of the dogs lunged at her from the tray. A bystander corroborated her account.
The tribunal described the woman as “an impressive witness” who was “unshaken in cross-examination”.
The owner denied the attacks took place and produced bank records he claimed proved he was elsewhere.
The tribunal rejected this, finding the records only showed his card was used at another location on the same day.
An expert canine behaviourist who assessed the dogs found them “highly reactive” and suffering “significant psychological distress”.
The dogs’ living situation “places the public and other animals at an unacceptable risk of further serious injury”, the expert concluded.
She said it would not take much for either dog to attack, tribunal documents show.
While housed at a local dogs’ home during proceedings, one of the animals bit a trainer.
Only two of five staff members had been able to safely interact with them.
The tribunal acknowledged the owner’s difficult circumstances and accepted the dogs provided comfort to him and his son, who has several disabilities.
But it found these considerations did not constitute extraordinary circumstances and were “overwhelmed” by the risk the animals posed.
“The act’s paramount purpose is protection of the public,” the tribunal noted.
Both dangerous dog declarations were upheld.
