An elderly Singleton man has been convicted and fined after his pet dog attacked a young child at a popular beachside cafe last year.
Court Hearing Details
Michael Field, aged 87, submitted an endorsed plea of guilty to a charge of dog attack causing physical injury. The plea was received by the Mandurah Magistrates Court on January 16, 2026. The offence carries a maximum financial penalty of $10,000.
A prosecutor representing the City of Rockingham outlined the facts of the case to the court. The incident occurred on August 16 last year at the Singleton Beach Café. Field was at the venue with his dog, a border collie cross named Andy.
The Incident at the Beach Cafe
The court heard that a two-year-old boy ran past the dog. As the toddler came close, Andy bit the child on the face. The attack resulted in the young victim sustaining puncture wounds to his face, chin, and left cheek.
Presiding Magistrate Clare Cullen acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but noted the attack was on the lower end of the severity scale. Taking this into consideration, she imposed a fine of $500 on Field.
Spent Conviction Denied
Following the sentencing, Field applied for a spent conviction order. This application was denied by Magistrate Cullen. A key factor in the refusal was Field's decision not to appear in court for the sentencing hearing.
The case serves as a reminder to all dog owners of their legal responsibility to maintain control of their pets in public spaces, regardless of the animal's breed or the owner's age.
