Man charged over violent dog attack

A Waikiki man has been charged after his dog escaped from the family home before causing serious injuries to a neighbour and another dog.

Jake Denis O’Keefe, 26, appeared before Rockingham Magistartes Court on Friday charged with two counts of being liable for a dog attack and one count of having an unregistered dog.

City of Rockingham prosecutor Tamara Simmons told the court that about 4.45pm on June 26, O’Keefe’s dog Ruby was untethered at the front of the home after escaping through the front door.

The complainant was out the front of her home getting her son’s dog Dakota ready for a walk.

As the complainant was holding the dog’s lead, Ruby suddenly ran at Dakota attempting to bite her around the face.

The complainant then tried to pull Dakota in for protection and at that time Ruby bit the complainant on her right calf, causing her to fall down.

Ruby proceeded to attack Dakota, biting her around the neck and chest and pinning her to the ground.

Ruby then bit and and locked on to Dakota’s rear and would not release.

O’Keefe’s partner ran down and after several attempts, was able to pull Ruby away.

Following the attack, Dakota was taken to Baldivis Vet Hospital were she underwent surgery for two puncture wounds.

The complainant also attended Rockingham Hospital with puncture wounds on both her hands from her own dog, however, the two puncture wounds on her right calf were from Ruby and grazing on her knees as a result of the fall.

The incident was captured on CCTV.

Rangers applied for and were granted an application to seize Ruby, however Ruby was unable to be located at that time.

She’s since been located and the city has declared her dangerous.

This attack comes after a spate of attacks in the city recently, which has prompted the city to release a statement warning of fines of up to $20,000 for unregistered dogs.

“In the three years we had her, she’s never done anything like this to other people or dogs,” O’Keefe said.

Magistarte Janelle Scutt said the court was to take into account Mr O’Keefe’s “prior good character” and that this was a “distressing” turn of events for all involved.

O’Keefe was fined $2000 and ordered to pay $291.30 in court costs.

He was also fined $200 for failing to register the dog and ordered to pay $1541.77 in remaining veterinary costs to the complainant.