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They could have told me they took my dog

Headshot of Elise Van Aken
Elise Van AkenThe Kimberley Echo
The rangers seized this dog on May 5.
Camera IconThe rangers seized this dog on May 5. Credit: SWEK

A Kununurra man has blasted Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley rangers for taking his dog from his front yard without warning.

George Hamilton said about 8am on May 5 he heard his dog Brumby “screaming” outside in his carport, and upon investigation, he discovered a SWEK ranger was reversing out of his driveway with his beloved pet.

“Just after 8am I heard our dog Brumby whinging or maybe screaming outside in the carport, then I heard a car start,” he said.

“I went and opened the front door and the ranger had reversed out and was ready to drive away with Brumby all locked up.

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“There was no knock on the door, courtesy or respect shown to explain the situation.

“I understand if the dog was on the street and they impounded it, but grabbing the dog in his own yard without any communication isn’t something I’d expect.”

The WA Dog Act 1976 does not legislate that a ranger can enter a dwelling to enforce the Act at any time without a warrant or consent of the occupier, unless they have reasonable grounds to believe an attack by a dangerous dog has occurred.

But Mr Hamiton admits his dog, who was not registered, was on an unsecured part of the property.

“The most disappointing thing is their approach. I don’t accept they didn’t have time to knock when they think the dog is roaming,” he said.

He said he contacted the Shire that day to explain his grievance and met the senior ranger later that week, but did not lodge a formal complaint.

SWEK acting chief executive Vernon Lawrence said over the last six months, the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley had received “several” complaints regarding its enforcement of the Dog Act which, other than one outstanding court case, had been resolved with the other parties.

“There have been minor compliance issues concerning the serving of notices, where the prescribed form was not used in the seizure of a registered animal,” he said.

“The breach of legislation was identified as a training issue, and rangers have spent extensive time ensuring a more detailed understanding of the Dog Act and associated regulations.”

SWEK Rangers picked up 89 dogs from January 1-May 12, amounting to one per day this year. Of these, 14 were registered and 36 were chipped.

Mr Lawrence said the Shire has began a service structure review, of which ranger services will be a part.

“As part of the review, the Shire will connect with the community on issues such as stray dogs, micro-chipping, impounding, registration and importantly domestic animal health,” he said.

“We intend to work closely with the community and hopes that it will positively contribute to the discussion.”

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