Dog owner is slapped with huge $800 fine for making little-known mistake while sitting outside
A frustrated dog owner has lashed out after being handed a huge fine for not properly holding her dog’s leash.
Robyn, owner of fashion boutique Whit and Watt in Moffat Beach on the Sunshine Coast, had a coffee break with her dog outside her shop.
Council staff claimed her Blue Heeler, Violet, was not under effective control in a public place because the dog’s leash was dangling from Robyn’s foot and not her hand.
Despite Violet sitting quietly at her owner’s feet, city officials still felt the need to approach the store owner.
Days later, Robyn was shocked when she was fined $806, Yahoo reported.
“I have a small business and I’m struggling with that, and the city is hitting you with this,” she said.
“Violet was on a leash, had a collar on, she was under my foot.”
Robyn posted about the incident on TikTok, saying the council workers were wearing black, which upset her dog.
Retailer Robyn had stepped outside her store for a coffee break and her dog was standing at her feet, wearing a collar and leash. But because the leash rested on Robyn’s foot and not in her hand, she was fined a whopping $806 (photo shop owner Robyn and her deaf dog Violet.
“Dark hats, dark sunglasses, my dog is deaf and it actually scared her a little bit,” she said.
Violet barked at the city workers who told the store owner to talk to their supervisor to find out what action needed to be taken.
Robyn claims she was in her rented property – and not in a public space – and called the council the next day to see what they had decided.
The store owner was told she would not receive a fine, just a warning.
But just days later she was fined.
The struggling retailer, who works seven days a week because she cannot pay staff, called the council in tears and even contacted her local mayor.
“I explained to her (the council official) that we are fortunate to be able to keep our doors open in such difficult times,” she said.
When Robyn explained, council workers had previously told her she would only get a warning.
However, she claims the person on the other end replied, “Sorry about that.”
The store owner said she will not pay the fine and will take Violet to court.
“I’ve been under a lot of financial stress, so it’s easy for me to break down and cry my eyes out trying to keep my store going,” she said.
Robyn believes dog owners need ‘clear clarification’ around the rules, because ‘a lot of people’ are also putting the blame under their feet.
And many local residents also support the store owner and call the fine ‘ridiculous’.
“This is bullying of dog owners,” one person wrote online.
The Sunshine Coast boutique owner is struggling to keep her business afloat and has now been fined $806. She currently works seven days a week because she cannot pay staff (photo shop owner Robyn)
“I’ve had a similar experience – the council is stonewalled on these issues but is keen to charge the rates,” said another.
A third added: ‘Unbelievable! I will absolutely go in and file a complaint on your behalf.”
The Queensland government began a stronger crackdown on dog owners on July 31, including tougher penalties – and even jail time for the owner of a dog that exhibits bad behaviour.
The Sunshine Coast Council website outlines the new state laws.
‘The Queensland Government has changed the penalty for failing to effectively control your dog in a public place.’ it said.
“An on-the-spot fine will increase to $806. This also includes letting the dog loose in a leashed area.
‘Or, if the dog is in an off-leash area, the owner must be able to control the dog with voice commands.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Sunshine Coast Council for comment.