Report by Steve Hart
Almost two weeks after two ladies were bitten by dogs and taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment, the corporation that is Hume City Council is barely able to confirm the events happened at all.
In a statement issued to Sunbury Life, that required a polite reminder and took five days, all council could say is that it is “aware of the dog attack” (there were two in Sunbury). And that council staff are working with police.
Council also says those attacked and scared by roaming dogs in Sunbury (and greater Hume?) are in the thoughts of staff who wish the injured “a swift and full recovery”.
According to Hume Council’s website a dog is only considered dangerous by shiny-suited paperclip counters if it has attacked someone. It means council staff should have acted immediately after a 71-year-old woman was attacked by three dogs in Melba Ave on Thursday 29 August.
Council staff only raised an eyebrow the following afternoon when, we assume, the same pack of dogs brought down a 35-year-old mum pushing her baby in Withers Cl at around 3pm on Friday 30 August. She received serious injuries to her face, neck, and legs. The woman was treated at the scene and taken to hospital.
We do not know the address of the dogs that were eventually confiscated and put down by council staff.
However, the distance between Melba Ave and Withers Cl is 1km (give or take) and separated by Heysen Dr.
There is also a report of a man bitten by a dog in Santa Cruz Boulevard, Roxburgh Park, on Thursday 29 August about 1.15pm. He told police and reported it to Hume Council.
Thankfully, one brave Sunbury resident spoke about the council’s inaction at a meeting of the full council on Monday 9 September.
Reading from a prepared speech in support of a notice of motion by Cllr Jarrod Bell asking for a review of council systems and staff, Cathy Cleaver said she was only 200 metres away from one of those attacked by dogs. “…if they hadn’t got her they would have got me”. [Full video below].
Ms Cleaver said the dogs caused “horrific” injuries.
“We won’t even think what could have happened to the baby,” she said.
“Hume City Council officers were aware of the number of dogs in the property, the condition of the fencing, all the complaints from the community.
“The residents of Withers Close were terrified. They could not get out of their cars if the dogs were on the street.
“Yes, you have now started your internal enquiries as to why the process [of protecting the public] did not work. Innocent people are left traumatised for the rest of their lives.
“Now is the time to create a safer environment for both community and domestic pets. The community and Hume City Council need to all be accountable and make changes for the future.”
Ms Cleaver said the council’s rules and processes have let down the victims, the community, and the animals.
“If nothing is done to improve the existing laws and processes at both state and council level, then we as a community – and Hume City Council – will continue to have blood on our hands.
“There are people in Sunbury that now live in fear. If we do nothing and don’t act now, we are allowing the system to remain broken.”
Cllr Bell said the attacks were heartbreaking and have shaken the Sunbury community.
“I know the entire community has been left deeply distressed,” he said.
Cllr Bell said he has spoken to “many residents” who have witnessed dog attacks.
“The confidence we once had in the systems that are designed to keep us safe is understandably shaken,” he said. “I share those concerns and frustrations.
“It is hard not to feel a sense of fear when something so devastating happens so close to home.
“It is crucial we let the investigation take its proper course to ensure the responsible parties are held accountable, and that the steps we are taking are informed by the full facts.
“This motion I am moving tonight aims to ensure the council is doing everything it can to address the immediate concerns while our review continues.”
Cllr Bell said he is calling for an urgent review of the council’s systems and processes, specifically those designed to regulate and control dangerous dogs.
This will include reviewing the council’s incident alert systems and enforcement measures.
Cllr Jodi Jackson accused Cllr Bell of grandstanding in raising his notice of motion saying council staff had already begun its investigation.
Council staff are to prepare a report for release in December 2024 and state that “any immediate opportunities for improvement identified during the review will be promptly actioned and implemented ahead of the final report”.
