A golden Labrador named Dozer has had his "dangerous dog" designation lifted after a recent ruling by the State Administrative Tribunal. The decision came after the City of Greater Geraldton seized Dozer from the Weller family's home in Geraldton, located 450 kilometers north of Perth, following an alleged attack on another dog in early August.

Initially, the city declared Dozer dangerous, which would have imposed strict conditions on the owners, including proper confinement and the use of a muzzle when outside. However, the family quickly built a fence around their property, allowing Dozer to return home later that month.

The situation escalated when the Wellers took to social media, claiming the city intended to euthanize Dozer shortly after his seizure. The city denied these claims, stating there was no plan to put the dog down.

The Wellers appealed the dangerous dog ruling, leading to the tribunal's decision on Thursday night, which was made with the city's consent. The tribunal noted that the Wellers agreed to ensure Dozer would complete ten training sessions at a local dog training center by the end of the year. The training center is required to provide written confirmation of the completed sessions and any observations made during the training.

Additionally, the owners must comply with the provisions of the Dog Act 1976, which includes keeping Dozer properly contained.

Jill Weller, the dog's owner, expressed her relief on social media, thanking the community for their support. "We hope our case prompts the Geraldton council to review their procedures for declaring dogs dangerous," she stated.

Chris Lee, acting CEO of the City of Greater Geraldton, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. He emphasized the city's commitment to responsible pet ownership and the safety of both people and animals. Lee reminded dog owners of their responsibilities, including keeping pets contained within fenced areas at home, using leashes in public spaces, and ensuring pets are registered and microchipped to facilitate their return if lost.