Northern Beaches Council has welcomed the sentence handed down today to the owner of a number of dogs that attacked and killed a family pet dog last year.

Manly Court ordered the defendant pay $6000 in fines and $7000 in costs, and also disqualified the defendant from owning a dog for 12 months.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said it was a good outcome and sends a strong message to the community.

“This was a terrible attack by four dogs on a family pet in his own back yard,” Mayor Regan said.

“It caused great distress for the family, some of whom witnessed the attack, and many others in our community reached out to support them.

“I am pleased the court has taken the incident as seriously as we did and handed down this significant penalty.

“It should serve as a warning to other dog owners to make sure they secure their dogs safely and ensure they are under their control at all times.

“Not only is the fine significant in the circumstances but it is important that the owner is also not able to own another dog for a year.”

Council successfully prosecuted the owner of the dogs under Section 16 (1) (a) of the Companion Animals Act.