A woman whose dog killed a little penguin at Cooee last year is the first person in the state to be prosecuted under legislation specifically designed to protect the flightless birds, a court heard on Thursday.
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Penelope Anne Laskey appeared in the Burnie Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to two charges relating to an incident at Cooee Point on November 10.
Prosecutor Elizaveta Belonogoff told Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason the 65-year-old retiree was walking her dog off lead at Cooee when it attacked and killed a little penguin, as was witnessed by a Burnie City Council officer.
[The charges] impose serious consequences for irresponsible dog owners.
- Prosecutor
The officer instructed Laskey to leash her dog and leave the area immediately, and she complied.
The officer noted the little penguin was warm to the touch, limp and blood was still coming from its wounds.
An autopsy conducted on the penguin found extensive trauma, wounds and injuries "consistent with predation by a dog", Ms Belonogoff said.
In a subsequent interview with a Parks and Wildlife Service compliance officer, Laskey said she had not seen signs or fences as she approached Cooee Point from the west.
The court heard she saw her dog had attacked the little penguin, and though she tried to catch it she was unsuccessful.
Laskey said she had seen signs elsewhere in the area, but assumed that Cooee Point's lack of dog prohibition signage meant her dog was free to roam there.
However, she told the court she now knew that dogs were only allowed where there was signage specifically saying so.
"She was remorseful for the actions of the dog, and apologised," the prosecutor said.
Ms Belonogoff said the crime, which was enacted in 2019 and of which this was the first prosecution, existed to protect little penguins.
"It serves both to enhance the safety of little penguin populations and impose serious consequences for irresponsible dog owners."
Ms Geason said it was "very unfortunate" Laskey's dog had killed the penguin, but that as Laskey had owned dogs all her life, had no prior court matters for similar allegations and was remorseful, personal deterrence was not required in sentencing.
Laskey was fined $1000 and ordered to pay court costs.
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