Brisbane council drops destruction order for dogs that mauled jogger
Two dogs that attacked Brisbane jogger Ajay Malik will not be put down immediately, after Brisbane City Council withdrew its destruction order and proposed declaring them dangerous. The council says it is seeking tougher penalties for their owner, Layla Evans, in response to the attack, which left Malik with life-threatening injuries.
The dogs, Louis and Ruby, remain at a council facility while Evans has 14 days from 21 October to respond to the proposed declaration. If convicted of an offence under Queensland legislation, she could face a maximum penalty of $120,890 or two years in prison; the council’s local-law maximum fine is $51,810. Police said they fired at the dogs after attempts to subdue them failed. Malik remains in hospital, and his family has started a $300,000 fundraiser for his recovery and living costs.
In short
- Council withdrew its order to put down the dogs.
- Their owner could face a $120,890 fine or two years in prison.
- Malik’s family has launched a $300,000 fundraiser.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Withdrawing the destruction order allows the council to consider whether strict controls can protect the public while avoiding an irreversible decision before the owner has had a chance to respond. Declaring the dogs dangerous could bring substantial restrictions and penalties for their owner, while preserving the option to reassess their future under those safeguards.
The case against
After an attack that left a jogger with life-threatening injuries, residents may reasonably prioritise public safety and question whether keeping the dogs alive can be made acceptably safe. They may argue that a dangerous-dog declaration and financial penalties do not by themselves remove the risk, and that the seriousness of the attack warrants a stronger protective response.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Dogs that mauled Brisbane jogger are spared being put down as council seeks tougher punishment for owner”.