While the news that Lennox’s owners have lost their appeal causes an enormous worldwide outcry, a more local but no less unjust murder is happening right here, right now in Australia.
In early 2011, dog owner Nathan Laffan bought two dogs and named them Kooda and Bear.
They were purchased from a byb as ‘American Bulldog/Bull Mastiff Staffi Cross’. They were microchipped and attended the vet as ‘mastiff crosses’. When the new Victorian restricted dog legislation was publicised, Nathan contacted his local council to double check his dogs would be ok.
He went to the Moira Council offices and met with Mr Bob L’Anson, a Council law enforcement officer. They agreed Mr L’Anson would inspect the dogs the next day. After visiting the dogs at home Mr L’Anson deemed both to be ‘pit bull/mastiff crosses’.
Now, as ‘restricted breeds’ and being only seven months old at the time, it was not legally possible for Nathan to register them. The dogs were seized.
Nathan applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a review of the decision to declare the dogs. The case went to court in February, five months after the dogs were taken from their home. Nathan represented himself. Council was legally represented. At the end of the hearing, Nathan asked the court for the opportunity to present further evidence, saying he hadn’t realised the process would be so formal. In April the case went back to court again. Mr Laffan’s evidence included:
A statutory declaration from Mr Michael Brown who sold the dogs (to another person who apparently on sold the dogs to Mr Laffan). Mr Brown did not give evidence at the hearing. His declaration says in part that both Kooda and Bear, who are from the same litter;
… are American bulldog/bull mastiff x staffy. The father is an American bulldog/bull mastiff and the mother is a staffy. There is no pitbull in either of the parents. Both parents have been inspected by the local state ranger and law enforcement officer and he has cleared both parents from having any pitbull in them whatsoever.
Despite this evidence that there was no ‘pit bull’ in either the mother or the father of Bear and Kooda, the Mr L’Anson, the authorised officer who declared the dogs gave evidence that he believed them to be a restricted breed. He had been employed by the council as an authorised officer since 2005 and had previous experience in seizure of dogs. He had also attended training seminars on the identification of restricted breed dogs.
The ‘not pit bull’ dogs were declared to be restricted breeds by VCAT.
The council gave the date of this Friday 15th June as their kill date. They brought the date forward and they were killed this afternoon.
These dogs were never accused of being unsocialised, uncared for or having ever shown any sign of aggression. It was never in doubt they were loved pets. But thanks to these laws, championed by animal ‘welfare’ organisations, they are now dead.
Hang your head in shame Victoria.
You can clearly see these babies have no visible looks of pitt bulls. Mind you all breads can be dangerous. My own family bread cattle and kelpies and I can tell you when they want to be they can be just as vicious and agressive towards other animals and humans. I have also been raised around rotties and dobermains, again they too can be agressive…but nothing takes the cake, like my little 2.2kg chihuahua that cannot be around small children and is know to bite severly. He is agro even though he is desexed. little dogs are known form their bites, but we don’t see a law banning them do we? it all about size.. 2.2kg vs 30kg. At the end of the day tts up to owners to train, excercise, desex and manage their breeds correctly. When dogs and looked after correctly regardless of breeds they are happy and content. This is absolutely awful and breaks my heart. Thinking we can erradicate behaviour by erradicating a breed is ridiculous!
Vote with your dollar. The Moira area on the Murray, like many regional areas, relies on tourism. Encourage all of your animal loving friends and family to avoid the area like the plague. Educate everyone you know.
Don’t visit pet killing country.
As a Victorian I am a shame that this could happen in Austraila, this “LAW” must be looked at, I mean it is discrimination to stereo type any ethinic group yet HUMANS can discriminate that an animal “could” be a Killer due to the “look” of it or it “may” have pit bull in its make up it seems evidence is no longer of importance Mr Bob L’Anson you need to find a New career and this Shows that Nathan doing the right thing is punished for being a responsible dog owner
yet another case where that law is working agains the honest. Nathen as a Ame staffy owner I feel ya pain and Im sorry that this has taken the lifes of two adorable puppies
Absolutely disgusting, sue the bastards!
The council should have been made to DNA test these dogs. What qualifications does Mr L’Anson have to say they are of pit bull breed, just another council idiot.
Wake up victoria… KARMA is a bitch
Please is there some lawyer out there who is willing to take on this council before they decide to kill any dog that looks like a pit bull breed….no such
thing as a bad dog, just bad owners
My sincere condolences to the owners of those lovely dogs.
This is a absolute disgrace!!! This will be punished by God Himself – He is not asleep and will not let this go unpunished! I am so sorry for all of the owners with this kind of dogs and the stupid law!
Simply heartbreaking.
I dont get this ,What gives a Human the right to just go and kill a animal for the looks of them . Can we go around doing that to each other ..OH WAIT we do ?? and we are Humans .. God made all of humans and animals Different looking for all the right reason .German back in the day ,look what they did to poeple who looked different ,I thought we didnt think it was right than ,Why Now ,Who made every one GOD,,Stop killing Gods GIFT TO MAN
Any breed specific legislation is wrong in any country. We have worked diligently and with much success here in the US to keep that at bay. Should we kill all bears because someone got mauled? How about if we euthanize all bankers because some are dishonest and steal someone’s life savings? Better yet – how about if we euthanize all politicians because some are corrupt?
There are no such thing as bad dogs, only bad owners. If you feel the need to euthanize something, take you own child’s puppy and explain to them how they might grow up to become a dangerous animal, after all all dogs come from wolves, and let them watch you put it down. Then you have the right to say you practice what you preach. You have behaved reprehensibly. You are murderers who will also answer to a higher authority one day. I would be interested as to how you will answer for this.
Shame on you Victoria. Those puppies were innocent. You are fools!
Nathan, Kooda and Bear, my deepest heartfelt sympathy for your family. I can’t imagine loosing my baby and I am speechless at this act of misconduct.
Is there no law or hard evidence required to end a life? How can we fight this? How can we stop it happening again? How do we make the council understand what they did was not ethical? It’s not about making them pay for what they did, but about educating them so it doesn’t happen again.
How can VCAT make that decision about those two dogs when rangers from one LGA deem that mum and dad are not restricted breeds but, rangers from another council say the pups are, and VCAT agree. That shows how bad the BLS is, as they (the authorities) can not even agree on what is or is not a restricted breed. This whole thing just makes people less likely to trust authorities full stop, especially since the LGA brought forward the kill date. My heart goes out to the owners for their loss.
I would have to say this is one of the most inhumane outcomes I have seen in relation to these poor young dogs. Convicted on the sayso of one person, by no means an expert. What happened to the behavioural tests, dna testing, records of previous behaviour as they were only seven months old, good luck with that one. The state of Victoria through fear are executing very young dogs as martars I would only hope that the owners of these poor dogs with the support of other dog owners “at risk” take action against not only the Victorian government but the grim reaper who called the end of the day for these young pups, sue the f’in pants off the heartless bastards.
Shame Shame and tears for these beautiful dogs and their beautiful owners. Condemned to death because of a supposed breed – no different from the killings of people because of their colour or religion. Shame shame. And you let puppy farms go ahead, pet shops with shocking conditions, and so forth. These two little dogs were loved and had a great life ahead. I can’t imagine the grief the owners must feel but I celebrate that these dogs were loved in their short lives. Shame on you who decided they didn’t deserve life!
I AM SO ASHAMED OF THESE ACTIONS, KILLING THESE BEAUTIFUL HAPPY FRIENDLY DOGS..GO & DO YOUR JOB WITH THE NUTCASES THAT DOG FIGHT NOT THESE YOUNG INNOCENT PUPS!!!…THE OWNERS DID THE RIGHT THING… WHY DIDN’T YOU……..! BAD OWNERS = BAD DOGS, ANY BREED CAN BE VICIOUS IF TREATED THAT WAY,THESE PUPS WERE LOVED AND FAMILY PETS YOU IDIOTS!!!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP & TAKE THE POWER AWAY FROM COUNCIL. DNA AND OTHER PROOF HAS TO BE TAKEN IN TO ACCOUNT….. WHAT AN IGNORANT COUNCIL…YOU ARE JUST LIKE HITLER….. DISGUSTED & ASHAMED OF YOU ALL VICTORIAN COUNCIL!!!!!…… NEVER TO BE TRUSTED AGAIN…. YOU ARE AS BAD AS KILLER DOGS, WHATS NEXT…KILLING VICIOUS BUDGIES!!!….
DISGUSTING!!! RIP babies – i would be more dangerous than all the pit bulls combined if anyone threatened to kill my babies
I truly cannot understand how certain people sit in judgement and rule that dogs have to be destroyed because they look like something they are not. These people have a flagrant disregard for the facts. Does the power go their heads or what?????
Why can’t these same people find and prosecute all those involved in animal cruelty instead? I would entirely agree with them euthenasing these individuals. In this country (UK), we still have organized dog fights, pet dogs being stolen and used as bait. I’m coming to the conclusion it is a very sick world we live in, and I don’t want to be a part of it….
i think this is just horrible if that guy did everything he did and did not do dna to prove they are pits
it is called murder these dogs once again did nothing wrong i think the people who do this should be punished these dogs are beautiful and do not look like pits they look like mastiffs i think this guy should give his head a shake and next time try dna it does work i am so sorry for the loss of the dogs
They don’t even look like pit bulls. What the heck.
I am so sorry for you loss of these beautiful babies. There is no justice in this world. You did everything you could to prove your case but the powers that be as in Lennox’s case are not listening or do not care. I greatly fear these atrocities are happening to make an example of these poor innocent animals. I am so saddened that these gorgeous puppies were put to death. sending love from Ireland. xxx
Nathan my thoughts and prayers are with you and i deplore the actions of these so called public representatives. The World is a small place and we all know what you have done and the people responsible. Are you proud of what you have done? A simple DNA test would have proven your so called expert wrong so why didn’t you use it. EXperts? so many who think they know everything but know nothing. RIP babies, it is a sad place without you
Im absolutely appalled at this decision, and agree with miss b, I think dangerous humans should be put down, and I was in a similar position one day, with my babies being full bred American bulldog and mastiff x bull Arab…….come near my babies and you will get alot more than you bargained for,,,,,,,,,I would become one crazy lady….they are my life!
disgraceful.. That ranger is an idiot with NO EXPERIENCE what so ever.
This is a case of council not wanting to admit they were wrong and killing them to prove they can
Absolutley moronic. That ranger should lose his job.
If these people want to take him to court I will donate toward legal fees to take this ranger down.
This just makes me sick and I feel so bad for the owner of these two dogs, They have done nothing and there was no reason for them to be destroyed, none! yet this idiot of a ranger chose to make this decision and to kill (murder) to absolutely innocent animals that only asked for love. R.I.P. BEAR & KOODA… Know that your death will not be in vain, we will do all we can to make sure this never happens again. To Bear and Kooda’s family, my heart goes out to you all and I am so sorry that you had to go thru this horrible event. I pray that you will find peace some day knowing that bear and kooda did love you and they know it was never your fault. Blessed Be.
Just unbelievable!!!! Shocking case of inhumane treatment. …they did nothing wrong!!
Go to HELL everyone who is resposible.
I disagree with “breed-specific” legislation.
I disagree because as an experienced trainer of dogs, and as an ‘ex-council’ employee who was employed as a Council Ranger for parking infringements and for the Dog and Cat Management within the council, I and many others realise that it is NOT a Specific breed or breeds which are at fault if a dog is aggressive. If a dog is aggressive it is how the dog has (or has not) been trained and taught how to act / respond.
I agree with a comment above about discriminating about a dog because of its breeding being allowed and enforced by an Australian Court, whereas if I as a person make a statement about a person because I have had past experiences with another of the same race / religeon / colour / whatever, then I will be in court for having done so.
This is Legal Discrimination. Discrimination legally permitted by Australian Courts.
Just another case of the people in government making laws to suit themselves instead of the majority of the Australian public.
Discimination is supposed to be illegal within Australia under our Australian Laws, yet this happens – THIS IS DISCIMIINATION – NOTHING LESS.
After hearing this terriable story I find it hard to sleep.
I look at my angel Baxter and I cry because he is the closes thing to a true spritual experince I can have. That is true for all animal lovers to have a connection with an animal it is the closes we are to a higher universe.
These two angels were the protectors of thier human family to love unconditionaly, Hounur all their human decisions and protect them with all thier heart and soul.
Bear & Kooda pay the ultimate sacrifies for loving a human and Im sure that they would do it all again in a heartbeat because they truley are Angels.
I am so sorry for the owners of these beautiful creatures and I know from my own experiance that thier hearts will be aching with loss and guilt. Please know that your babies will return to you one day and that they are sorry for your pain.
But try and remember those very special times you had with them as this was their gift to you.
I too feel so strongely towards the people who have done this but let the hate and anger all of us feel be put to good use and support all animals in this world, Be thier voice and join people who are trying to make a differnce.
Hopefully by our voices and outcrys we can help put a stop to all this maddness and make all responsiable be held accountable for MURDER!
My love to these Angels and the human family XXX
My heart goes out to you. Shame on you Victoria for destroying these beautiful pets.
People should write to Mayor (Ms) Alex Monk at [email protected] / and CEO Gary Arnold at [email protected] and express their disgust at this travesty.
These are emails to write to Moira Council:
‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’; ‘[email protected]’ Address also to Message for Gary Arnold (CEO) and Mayor Alex Monk, Alison Coe;
our letter: “This is an outrageous and disgusting case that puts the spotlight on your Council failing in its ethical duty of care towards your ratepayers and companion animals.
I guess Council will reply that he “was only doing his job” and that “this is the law”, but he is clearly a fool that should not be in such a responsible job.
Get rid of him, or move him to some back office function.
Were the dogs dangerous? Were they causing a problem? No.
Surely your staff have got more important things to do than show off how big their muscles are?
Thousands of healthy cats and dogs are killed un-necessarily each year across Australia, and it’s good to know that your over-zealous staff are helping out with that task.
Shame on you Moira Council.”
Shame, shame, shame….Sometimes I can not wait until the end of the human race….We stink…..
Oh, this is horrible :( Come on, these are innocent creatures! You should at least be more fair in your judgement.
Nathan, my thoughts are with you. This council and this poor excuse of a human being Mr Bob L’Anson have so much to answer for!!!
MR BOB L’ANSON is obviously a pathetic power tripper with NO KNOWLEDGE of dog breeds. I’m sure he’s very proud of himself, hopefully he’ll read this, (maybe he’ll have the link sent to him) and see how many people find him a disgusting, pathetic disgrace. VCAT have proven themselves time and time again to be a pack of idiots, and have just reconfirmed!
Have just emailed the council
[email protected]
and told them exactly what I think of them and MR BOB L’ANSON. Will never ever again spend any money there.
they just don’t get it wake up people look into their eyes
It is clear that the humans who run the Lost Dogs’ Home are the ones who are truly ‘lost’. Scaremongering tactics re innocent dogs whose only fault was that they look stocky, egging on the Herald Sun’s propaganda, and a weak Government that decides to rush through ill-considered and unscientific legislation. Shame, shame, shame!!
[…] I live in in) also has Breed Specific Legislation like the United Kingdom, and already a history of seizing and destroying dogs for their breed alone, that this will be seen as a solution to a problem that doesn’t really exist. If in […]