Dogs Spared from Euthanasia in Brisbane Attack as Owner Faces Harsher Penalties

Two dogs involved in a brutal attack on a Brisbane jogger will not be euthanized, as the local council shifts its focus to imposing more severe penalties on the owner. The Brisbane City Council had initially ordered the dogs, a bulldog-American Staffordshire terrier cross named Louis and a bulldog-boxer cross named Ruby, to be put down following the October 17 incident.

However, the council withdrew this destruction notice earlier this week. Instead, it is pursuing a declaration that the animals be classified as 'dangerous' under Queensland law. This move allows the council to seek stricter measures against the owner, Layla Evans, 22. If convicted, Evans could face penalties up to $120,890 or two years imprisonment, depending on the specific offenses under state legislation. The maximum fine under local law stands at $51,810.

"The seriousness of this attack demands the strongest possible response, which is why we've escalated our action to pursue much tougher penalties against the owner," a council spokesperson told 7News. "We know people want swift action and so do we, but we must follow the State Government's strict legal processes."

The attack occurred on Friday night when Ajay Malik, 37, was jogging in Chermside's 7th Brigade Park. Malik sustained life-threatening injuries to his face and arms and remains hospitalized at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. The dogs reportedly escaped from a campsite where Evans had been living.

Police officers responding to the scene were met with a significant safety risk and discharged their firearms to subdue the animals. One dog was apprehended on Friday night, and the second was captured the following morning. According to the council, both dogs were registered to the same address and had no prior history of being declared dangerous.

Evans was arrested in connection with a separate matter after the attack but has not been formally charged. She has a 14-day window, starting from October 21, to respond to the council's proposed declaration regarding her dogs. The council will review her response before making final decisions on the animals' classification and any potential destruction orders.

Meanwhile, the family of Mr. Malik has initiated a fundraising campaign seeking $300,000 to aid in his recovery and cover living expenses. Authorities are also investigating the death of a 48-year-old man whose body was discovered in bushland near the attack site on Sunday, October 18, though it remains undetermined if the dogs were involved.