A frustrated dog owner has lashed out after she was hit with a huge fine for not holding her dog’s lead properly.
Robyn, owner of fashion boutique Whit and Watt in Moffat Beach on the Sunshine Coast, was having coffee with her dog outside her shop.
Council workers claimed her Blue Heeler, Violet, was not under effective control in a public place because the dog’s leash was hanging from Robyn’s foot and not her hand.
Even though Violet was sitting calmly at her owner’s feet, the council officials still felt the need to approach the shop owner.
Days later, Robyn was shocked when she received a fine of $806. yahoo reported.
“I have a small business and I’m struggling with it, and the city council hits you with this,” he said.
“Violet was tied up, she had a collar on and she was under my foot.”
Posting on TikTok about the incident, Robyn said the council workers were wearing black, which upset her dog.
Retailer Robyn had briefly left her store for a coffee and her dog was at her feet wearing a collar and lead. But because the leash rested on Robyn’s foot and not her hand, she was fined a staggering $806 (pictured, store owner Robyn and her deaf dog Violet.
“Dark hats, dark sunglasses, my dog is deaf and he actually got a little scared by them,” she said.
Violet barked at city hall workers, who told the store owner that they needed to speak to their supervisor to determine what action needed to be taken.
Robyn maintains she was in her rented premises, 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 any fine, just a warning.
But only a few days later they imposed the fine.
The struggling retailer, who works seven days a week because she cannot afford to hire staff, called the council in tears and even contacted her local mayor.
“I explained (to the city worker) that we are lucky to keep our doors open during such difficult times,” he said.
When Robyn explained, council workers had previously told her she would simply receive a warning.
However, he claims the person on the other end of the line responded, “I’m sorry.”
The store owner said she won’t pay the fine and will take Violet to court with her.
“I’ve been going through a lot of financial stress, so it’s easy for me to break down and open my eyes because I’m trying to keep my store afloat,” he said.
Robyn believes dog owners need “clear clarification” on the rules because “a lot of people” also put the leash under their feet.
And many locals also support the store owner, calling the fine “ridiculous.”
“This is harassment by a dog owner,” one wrote online.
The Sunshine Coast boutique owner is struggling to keep her business going and has now been fined $806. She currently works seven days a week because she can’t pay her staff (pictured, store owner Robyn).
“I had a similar experience – the council is a brick wall on these matters but is happy to charge sky-high rates,” said another.
A third added: ‘Unbelievable! I will absolutely go in and complain on your behalf.
The Queensland government began a tougher crackdown on dog owners on July 31, including tougher penalties and even prison for a dog owner who displays bad behavior.
The new state laws are outlined on the Sunshine Coast Council website.
“The Queensland Government has updated the penalty for failing to effectively control your dog in a public place.” said.
‘The on-site fine will increase to $806. This includes having an off-leash dog in a leashed area.
“Or, if the dog is in an off-leash area, the owner should be able to control it via voice command.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Sunshine Coast Council for comment.
