Woman fined over dog attacks on Waikiki residents

A Waikiki woman has been charged after her dog violently attacked two of her neighbours. Penelope Susan Watkins appeared in Rockingham Magistrates Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to two counts of being liable for dog attack on a person or animal. City of Rockingham legal representative Tamara Simmons told the court that on June 11, Ms Watkins’ dog had run out of the house and made its way towards a woman, who was unloading shopping from her car, when the dog latched on to her right thigh, causing a small puncture wound. Ms Simmons told the court that Watkins ran after the dog and was able to secure the dog back in the house. The court heard that the victim’s husband then made his way over to the house to confront Watkins and when arriving at the door, the dog again rushed out and bit the man, forcing him to punch the dog to release him. The accused apologised for the dog’s behaviour and the two victims were treated for bites and received a tetanus shot at Rockingham Hospital. Watkins was interviewed by police in relation to the incident. Watkins told the court that the dog was chasing her son’s other dog at the time of the first incident and that when the victim’s husband approached the house, he had opened her front door, which alerted her that someone was there and led the dog to attack him. “I take full responsibility, but I don’t agree with the alleged events of the other witnesses,” she said. “He’s never been aggressive to anyone I’ve let into the house.” Magistrate Robert Young said it was confronting for the victims to have a dog attack them in this way and the onus was on the owners to ensure others’ safety. “The Dog Act serves a public purpose, owners are responsible for their behaviour,” he said. Mr Young acknowledged the early plea of guilty and that she apologised to the people involved. Watkins received a $500 fine and ordered to pay court costs of $283.30.