As we all cherish the companionship of our furry friends, it's essential to be aware of the local regulations that come with pet ownership.

A recent incident on the Sunshine Coast is a stark reminder that even the most well-intentioned dog owners can find themselves on the wrong side of the law, facing hefty fines for seemingly minor infractions.

Robyn, a fashion boutique owner at Moffat Beach, was enjoying a peaceful coffee break with her Blue Heeler, Violet, when she was unexpectedly approached by council workers.

Despite Violet being leashed and sitting quietly by Robyn's feet, the officers deemed the dog not under 'effective control' because the lead was resting on Robyn's foot rather than being held in her hand.

Dog owner Robyn received a huge fine over a small mistake. Credit: @whitandwatt / Instagram

This small oversight led to a staggering $806 fine, leaving Robyn in a state of shock and frustration.

‘I've got a small business and I'm struggling with that, and the council hits you with this,' she said.

'Violet was on lead, had a collar on, she was underneath my foot.'

'Dark hats, dark sunglasses, my dog is deaf and she actually got a bit frightened by them,' she added.

Robyn insisted she was on her rented property, not in a public area, and called the council the following day to check their decision.

The shop owner was initially told she wouldn't be fined, just given a warning. However, just days later, she received a fine.

The struggling retailer called the council in tears and even reached out to her local mayor.

‘I explained to her (the council worker) that we are lucky to keep our doors open in such tough times,’ she said.

When Robyn reminded them that the council workers had previously assured her it would just be a warning, she claimed the response she received was simply, ‘Sorry about that.’

Determined not to pay the fine, the shop owner says she plans to take Violet to court with her.

‘I've been going through a lot of financial stress, so it's easy for me to break down and bawl my eyes out because I'm trying to keep my shop afloat,’ she said.

Robyn believed dog owners need ‘clear clarification’ on the rules, as ‘a lot of people’ put the lead under their foot as well.

The Queensland Government has recently intensified its enforcement of these rules, with increased penalties that can even lead to imprisonment for owners of dogs that exhibit bad behaviour.

On the Sunshine Coast Council website, the updated state-wide laws are clearly outlined.

‘The Queensland Government has updated the penalty for not effectively controlling your dog in a public place,' it said.

'An on-the-spot fine will increase to $806. This includes having a dog off-leash in an on-leash area. Or, if the dog is in an off-leash area, the owner must be able to control the dog using voice command.'

Robyn's story is a cautionary tale for all dog owners. It's not just about the fine but also about understanding and adhering to local laws to ensure the safety and well-being of our pets and the community.

The incident has rallied local support for Robyn, with many calling the fine excessive and indicative of 'dog owner bullying’.

‘Had a similar experience—the council is a brick wall for these matters but happy to charge through the roof for rates,' one said.

Another added, 'Unbelievable! Will absolutely go in and complain on behalf of you.'

You can watch the video below:

Credit: @whitandwatt / Instagram​

Key Takeaways

• A Sunshine Coast boutique owner received an $806 fine for not holding her dog's leash in her hand while sitting outside her store.
• The council workers deemed the dog, Violet, to be not under effective control, despite her calm behaviour and being leashed.
• The shop owner, Robyn, contended that she was within her rented premises, not a public space, and had been initially told she would only receive a warning.
• Robyn has voiced her frustration over the lack of clear rules for dog owners regarding leash control and has gained local support against what is considered an excessive fine.

Have you ever faced a similar situation with your pet? Do you believe the laws are clear enough, or is there a need for better clarification? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Revo]

If they enforced that rule on Magnetic Island the council could make a fortune, perhaps even reduce our excessive rates.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Sorry I'm with the council.

I had a friend who had two white Maltese terriers , they were basically her children.

She said they would never bite ( they did) she said they were showing love.

I was with her at an outdoor Cafe , having coffee . She had just one of her dogs with her .
A woman was standing near by waiting for her coffee and the dog bit her leg. It didn't draw blood but did leave a mark and frightened the lady.

The lady was a bit upset ( I couldn't blame her) but didn't take it any further.

I told my friend that she was very lucky. She replied that he was just saying hello.

I told her that she needed to take her dogs out to parks ect and not a Cafe. I told her she needed to keep the dogs on a leash.

I understand there are placid dogs but when out and about they need to be on a leash with owners holding onto that leash.

Rules are in place for a reason.

Maybe 20 years ago , 2 streets away from me was a house whose dog was allowed out in the front yard. It had bitten a few people and when I went for a walk I never went into that street.

A little girl 5 years old who lived a few houses up was attacked and mauled badly by that dog. She was in my daughters class and was in hospital for weeks. It was that bad it was actually on the news . She finally recovered but suffered anxiety for years

Prevent before something happens

 

["Flash"]

There surely has to be another side to this story? On face value this just has to be so wrong in so many ways!
Again, on face value, this lady would get my overwhelming support ( having been an elected member in a local council some years ago)!

 

[Koda]

Now that is money gouging she was restrained and the person who implemented the fine should be ashamed of themselves go talk to your local MP see what they say redicu

 

[Shane O'Neill]

Lowlife scumbag council worker that's blanted revenue raising shit bag

 

[allanjackand molly]

sack the lot of the council this is going to far now in this country with these laws the fines are to exessive just revenue

 

[UNIT1000]

just revenu raisors

 

[Zemo]

Seems like 1984 is getting closer and closer all the time ...

 

[tekkac]

Typical money grab by greedy Councils

 

[Peterrjj]

Sorry I'm with the council.

I had a friend who had two white Maltese terriers , they were basically her children.

She said they would never bite ( they did) she said they were showing love.

I was with her at an outdoor Cafe , having coffee . She had just one of her dogs with her .
A woman was standing near by waiting for her coffee and the dog bit her leg. It didn't draw blood but did leave a mark and frightened the lady.

The lady was a bit upset ( I couldn't blame her) but didn't take it any further.

I told my friend that she was very lucky. She replied that he was just saying hello.

I told her that she needed to take her dogs out to parks ect and not a Cafe. I told her she needed to keep the dogs on a leash.

I understand there are placid dogs but when out and about they need to be on a leash with owners holding onto that leash.

Rules are in place for a reason.

Maybe 20 years ago , 2 streets away from me was a house whose dog was allowed out in the front yard. It had bitten a few people and when I went for a walk I never went into that street.

A little girl 5 years old who lived a few houses up was attacked and mauled badly by that dog. She was in my daughters class and was in hospital for weeks. It was that bad it was actually on the news . She finally recovered but suffered anxiety for years

Prevent before something happens

To the dog owner:

My leashed dog was attacked by an unleashed dog in a leased public area twice in two days with owners calling their dog back with thier dog not obeying their orders. So I am not sympathetic to dog owners with unleashed dogs. Incidently, my dog would cost $8,000 to buy as a puppy and vet fees would greatly exceed $800.

However, what does leased/unleased actually mean. Your dog was on a leash?

You need proper legal advice … which is going to cost you a whole lot more than the $800 fine, and there is no guarantee of winning at court.

I note that you say that the dog is partly deaf, that would be a good reason to have a tight hold of the leash as the dog may not hear you call the dog back if it left you? Further, the reporting officers ‘scared’ your dog. A scared dog might be more inclined to bite the danger, hence all the more reason for having the dog on a tight leash?

If you go to court, do yourself a favour and don’t mention that the reporting officers scared your deaf dog.

in my view, an $800 fine is not enough for dog owners to have unleashed dogs in a leased area!

However a court may reduce that fine, or alternatively, having a party deaf and easily easily dog may increase such a modest fine with court costs.

If I saw a dog wearing a collar on a lead of some type running wild in a park with no person near the dig, would that dog be then be ‘Unleash’ at law? And the difference to that example and these facts would be … no running dog. But does that really make a legal difference?

 

[Suzanne rose]

To the dog owner:

My leashed dog was attacked by an unleashed dog in a leased public area twice in two days with owners calling their dog back with thier dog not obeying their orders. So I am not sympathetic to dog owners with unleashed dogs. Incidently, my dog would cost $8,000 to buy as a puppy and vet fees would greatly exceed $800.

However, what does leased/unleased actually mean. Your dog was on a leash?

You need proper legal advice … which is going to cost you a whole lot more than the $800 fine, and there is no guarantee of winning at court.

I note that you say that the dog is partly deaf, that would be a good reason to have a tight hold of the leash as the dog may not hear you call the dog back if it left you? Further, the reporting officers ‘scared’ your dog. A scared dog might be more inclined to bite the danger, hence all the more reason for having the dog on a tight leash?

If you go to court, do yourself a favour and don’t mention that the reporting officers scared your deaf dog.

in my view, an $800 fine is not enough for dog owners to have unleashed dogs in a leased area!

However a court may reduce that fine, or alternatively, having a party deaf and easily easily dog may increase such a modest fine with court costs.

If I saw a dog wearing a collar on a lead of some type running wild in a park with no person near the dig, would that dog be then be ‘Unleash’ at law? And the difference to that example and these facts would be … no running dog. But does that really make a legal difference?

it wasn't my dog.

But I agree dogs need to be on a leash and restrained when in public. Another reason animals should not be taken into shops unless they are used for disability

 

[eggshells]

I thought I read she wasn't in a public space but on her own rented premises.....doesn't that make any difference?

 

[mollydg]

its disgusting the fine is more than you get speeding through a school zone ;theres a difrence between sitting with your dog at your feet with a lead on even if lead is not in your hands to some nitwit letting thier dog run loose t; a big difrence ;council in this mate are overboard those workers could have issued a warning but they decide to fill overfill coffers of council with more money ;they likley get a percentage;this is supposed to be a free country ; and yes i agree a dog should be leashed and under control the fine is disgusting profiteering and the lady had the dog under control

 

[IJH]

Sorry I'm with the council.

I had a friend who had two white Maltese terriers , they were basically her children.

She said they would never bite ( they did) she said they were showing love.

I was with her at an outdoor Cafe , having coffee . She had just one of her dogs with her .
A woman was standing near by waiting for her coffee and the dog bit her leg. It didn't draw blood but did leave a mark and frightened the lady.

The lady was a bit upset ( I couldn't blame her) but didn't take it any further.

I told my friend that she was very lucky. She replied that he was just saying hello.

I told her that she needed to take her dogs out to parks ect and not a Cafe. I told her she needed to keep the dogs on a leash.

I understand there are placid dogs but when out and about they need to be on a leash with owners holding onto that leash.

Rules are in place for a reason.

Maybe 20 years ago , 2 streets away from me was a house whose dog was allowed out in the front yard. It had bitten a few people and when I went for a walk I never went into that street.

A little girl 5 years old who lived a few houses up was attacked and mauled badly by that dog. She was in my daughters class and was in hospital for weeks. It was that bad it was actually on the news . She finally recovered but suffered anxiety for years

Prevent before something happens

I think its ridiculous

 

[Caron]

Council greed and stupidity. I’m sure that it would be possible for this lady to do a go fund me to fight this , I would willingly donate.

 

[Luckyus]

Just goes to show, some council workers are no better than dogs shit.

 

[BellaB18]

I have never been aware of this rule. They could have warned the lady. I don't know if it applies in Victoria.
I totally agree with strict rules in regards to pet ownership. My council sends out news letter magazines every few months and keeps you updated on the rules of certain things. They go on about picking up after your dog sad to say not everyone is following that rule. Which is so wrong and how will they get caught council workers are not driving around around looking to see if dog walkers are picking up.
Even a letter box drop from councils would be helpful with pet rules. Then if you break the rule you pay the fine.
Kind regards to all Vicki

 

[Ol Ethel]

I have a beautiful dog, which I rarely walk in public space. Whether we like it or not, they are similar to people and can have instant dislike to other dogs. I don't want any dog or person to get injured in a dog fight.
I sympathise with the lady and believe it was an over reaction from the workers. Surely a warning would have been the better option.

 

[Phantom55]

I thought we got rid of the gestapo long ago I wondered where they went..is there anything we CAN do these days councils need to be reminded that THEY are there to manage OUR county (ITS NOT THEIRS) they are servants of the comunity NOT THE LORDS of the district, by all means fine guilty parties of breaches but when it comes to preventative legislation this must be up to the GOVERNMENT to lay down the law for AUSTRALIA OR THE STATE not just a district or shire....its really about revenue as far as councils go