Television personality Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine have successfully kept their German Shepherd, Chance the Yapper, from being declared a dangerous dog and facing potential euthanasia. The couple appeared at Hornsby Local Court on Thursday to contest a dangerous dog declaration sought by North Sydney Council following an incident on April 18 in Sydney's Neutral Bay.
Court documents stated that the eight-year-old dog "without provocation attacked a person, causing serious injury" and had also "attacked another dog" during the incident. The council agreed to overturn the dangerous dog order, instead imposing a control order that will remain in place for four years.
Under the control order, Stefanovic and his wife must muzzle and leash Chance whenever he is walked in public. They are also required to display a "Warning Dog" sign at their Castlecrag home. Additionally, Chance must undergo behavioral or socialization training from a qualified expert within six months, with a certificate of completion to be presented to the council. The dog also cannot be left in the care of anyone under 18 and must be kept in a secure enclosure to prevent escape.
A dangerous dog declaration could have resulted in a significant fine of $16,500, the destruction of the animal, and up to five years in jail for the owners.
The Stefanovics have owned Chance since 2018. The dog frequently appears on the couple's social media.
