Melbourne dog owner is hit with massive fine after breaking a little-known rule – and you won’t believe what it was for

A dog owner has been stunned by a significant fine for breaking a little-known law on her own property.

Judy Murphy, 79, from Sandringham in Melbourne's south, was fined after her five-year-old Maltese Shih Tzu called Clarrie off lead while they were standing in the communal driveway of their units.

There had been previous complaints about the dog being uninhibited, and a neighbor reported her to Bayside City Council, with a photo in evidence.

Ms Murphy said she was then fined $288 for a five-year-old puppy that was 'off leash'.

A frustrated neighbor sent the council a photo of Judy Murphy's Maltese Shi Tzu, Clarrie, standing in her driveway without a leash

“He didn't go anywhere,” Mrs. Murphy said.

'He was just looking for his friends, I think. He's my best buddy and wouldn't hurt a fly.'

One neighbor said the fine was 'completely unreasonable', while another said Mrs Murphy should only have been given a warning but had to tie up her dog.

Bayside City Council defended the fine in a statement to 7News.

“Council issued a trespass notice to a dog owner after receiving multiple complaints about a dog not being securely confined to the owner's property,” the report said.

'Allowing a dog to roam in an unfenced front garden or unsecured open space is a breach of the Pets Act.

'The dog owner had been spoken to several times and knew that her dog had to be secured to the property to prevent injury, nuisance or attacks.'

Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Bayside City Council for comment.

Mrs Murphy (pictured with her dog) said Clarrie was 'just looking for his friends'

The neighbor who filed the complaint was pleased with the fine handed out to Clarrie's owner.

The complaining neighbor claimed to have spoken to Ms Murphy about her pet several times before taking the matter to the council.

On social media, locals were divided in their reactions to the incident.

One Facebook user described it as an 'absolute overreach of the council'.

Another called the council's response “absurd.”

“There are so many abuses here, and none of them were committed by that woman or her dog,” said a third.

However, some agreed with the Bayside City Council's actions.

“Many problems are caused by 'cute little dogs' that are out of control,” said one.