Aimee Alexandra Parsons, 29, appeared in Wagga’s Local Court on Monday for sentencing after pleading guilty to not keeping a menacing dog under control in public. 

According to documents tendered to the court, Wagga City Council rangers were called to Kooringal on November 8 last year after receiving reports of a dog attack.

When they arrived at Parsons’ home, police found the dog could have easily escaped the backyard through the bars in a gate, as it was not wearing a collar or chain around its neck.

Rangers captured the dog at took it to the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter, where a microchip scan revealed it had been declared a ‘menacing dog’ the year before.

The dog, which was called Gizmo, was ultimately put down, and Parsons was given two fines totalling $3080. 

She attempted to fight the fines, claiming she was not the actual owner of the dog. 

Parsons travelled from Brisbane for her court appearance, during which solicitor Greg Reynolds explained the confusion.

"In a nutshell, our client is what might be called a foster carer for this animal – the owner of the animal is officially a group called Pound Rescue,” Mr Reynolds said.

“She made multiple contacts with the agency asking them to take the dog back … they would not take it back.” 

Mr Reynolds also told the court that he understood the injuries caused during the dog attack were “only superficial” and that Parsons offered to pay compensation for any damage caused. 

While magistrate Christopher Halburd accepted that Parsons was trying to do the right thing, he said the court could not ignore the severity of the incident. 

"I understand your motivation was that you wanted to save this animal,” he said.

"The fact is the dog did get out, and these are very serious charges – one carries a maximum penalty of $11,000, and the other carries a maximum penalty in excess of $16,000."

The magistrate ultimately sentenced Parsons to a 12-month good behaviour bond, noting that her actions were out of character. 

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