THE City of Hume will continue to prosecute the owners of dangerous dogs, despite forking out nearly $70,000 on a failed legal battle to have three dangerous dogs euthanased.

Hume resident Scott Chapman’s three staffordshire terriers were found in dog breeder Keith Houston’s backyard in May last year. Mr Houston also found the bodies of his four chihuahuas and a maltese terrier cross.

Hume Council Director of Infrastructure Steve Crawley said a year-long application by the council for the three dogs to be euthanased was determined in the magistrates court on 17 August.

Prior to the determination Mr Chapman gave his dogs away to new owners, freeing him of any obligation to build an escape-proof enclosure or have the dogs euthanased.

“Due to the transfer of ownership of the three dogs involved, any orders made previously with regards to Mr Chapman being required to build dog enclosures were removed,” Mr Crawley said.

“This being the case, the magistrate was unable to order the dogs to be euthanased.”

A lack of DNA evidence also meant the dogs weren’t declared dangerous.

Mr Crawley said the council is concerned with the decision, especially the possible threat the dogs pose to community safety if not kept under control.

“Council cannot confirm where these dogs will be housed,” Mr Crawley said.

The council spent $68,747 in legal and associated costs on the case and council officers attended the magistrates’ court nine times during over the past year.

Chapman pleaded guilty to the charges including allowing his dogs to roam and owning dogs that caused the death of other animals. He was ordered to pay half the council’s legal costs as well as $4300 in damages to Mr Houston.

The dogs were held at The Lost Dogs Home during court proceedings and managing director of the home, Graeme Smith, said the dogs displayed considerable aggression towards other dogs.

Mr Smith said he believed the dogs involved could kill again if precautions such as a muzzle and escape-proof enclosure weren’t taken.

“These dogs need owners who can manage that aggression. Personally, I wouldn’t want them in my neighbourhood without restrictions placed on the way they are housed and the way they are walked,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said he had contacted the State Government to review the loophole that allowed the dogs to be released without being declared dangerous.

Mr Crawley said the case would not deter the council from pursuing action against owners of dangerous dogs in the future.

Council encourages any residents who sight a dog at large to immediately report it to council on 9205 2200.