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Melbourne Couple Hire Lawyer To Defend Staffy That Killed Dachshund

Melbourne Couple Hire Lawyer To Defend Staffy That Killed Dachshund

Cardinia Council says an investigation is underway into the incident.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A Melbourne couple has hired a lawyer to help them defend their Staffy against possible action against a local council.

Paki and Claudia Harrison are worried their dog Hero will be ordered to be put down after it killed a dachshund during a walk in Parkenham earlier this week.

The couple insist their dog did nothing wrong and was just protecting Claudia when the dachshund, named Coco, approached Hero, who was on a lead.

Kashila Chintamunnee

Lawyer Michael Faltermaier has been brought on to represent both Hero and the Harrisons if the coucil want to escalate the situation.

"Our firm specialises in animal law, particularly relating to dogs," Mr Faltermaier told the Herald Sun.

"They have sought our assistance because the law in relation to dogs in Victoria is complicated, difficult and they wanted help with it and their dealings with [Cardinia] council.

"We are currently fully co-operating with the council and will continue to do so."

Cardinia Council has remained tight lipped about the situation, insisting an investigation is underway and the results of that will be released in due course.

The council won't only have Mr Faltermaier to deal with either as tens of thousands of people have signed a petition calling for Hero to be spared. Nearly 200,000 people have added their names to the list on Change.org since it was uploaded just yesterday.

Hero has been thrust into the spotlight after he killed a dachshund on Tuesday, with Coco's owner, Kashila Chintamunnee, posting photos of the incident on her Facebook.

Opinion was initially split on who was to blame for the tragedy, however many have sided with the Harrisons and Hero because the dog was leashed.

Mrs Harrison has refuted Ms Chintamunnee's version of events, claiming Hero was set upon by three loose dogs.

Kashila Chintamunnee

In a statement on behalf of his 'traumatised' wife, husband Paki Harrison said: "My son and I were taking our dog for a walk up the hill near the lake; three dogs approached us from behind - two smaller dogs and one larger dog.

"I pulled my dog away at the same time. My dog was on his lead with a harness. I looked around but there was no owner in sight, and I was worried for my son.

"I yelled and tried to signal for nearby help but there wasn't anyone. At this stage I couldn't keep the dogs away from my dogs or keep my son safe."

Grainy CCTV footage appears to corroborate Mrs Harrison's version of events, with loose dogs appearing to pursue her and Hero in the park.

Featured Image Credit: Change.org

Topics: News, Australia