Dog charged with chasing cat

I love these kinda stories. But this one has everything. Cats, dogs, Ex sports people, lawyers, local councils, legal bills and the word preposterous.

WITH glowing character references from friends such as swimming star Dawn Fraser, Bob hopes to get off a dangerous dog charge.

Bob, accused of chasing a local cat, will have his case put to the local court this month to clear his reputation and that of his owner, who has been charged with three criminal offences relating to the incident.

Fraser and 21 other residents of the Sydney suburb of Balmain have written Bob character references to counter Leichhardt Council's legal action. It stems from a complaint that Bob chased a neighbour's cat and attacked its owner.

Bob's plight after the 30m pursuit in May, which could cost his owners up to $12,000 in legal fees, has made him a celebrity in the prestigious waterfront suburbs of Birchgrove and Balmain.

But it has also highlighted a growing neighbourhood rift.

Fraser told The Daily Telegraph she was not on speaking terms with the person who made the complaint about happy-go-lucky Bob.

"He is a beautiful dog," the ex-swimming champ said. "I don't think they're very nice people, I've told them not to speak to me.

"I'm a community person, I have lived there all of my life and we now have people coming in that aren't."

Bob's other referees fear the complaint was motivated by a small interest group, which wants all dogs on leashes when they are being walked in the park. His owner Drew Vukelic will face Balmain Local Court next Friday on charges Bob was uncontrolled and attacked a cat and a person on May 7, in an exercise area of Birchgrove Park.

Bob's co-owner Professor John Debenham said he was shocked the council had taken action and branded it a "waste of ratepayers' money".

"Bob is a lovely, normal, harmless dog," Professor Debenham said.

"He chased the cat for 30m, it (the council action)is preposterous."

The UTS academic said he believed the cat and its owner were uninjured.

A council spokesman could not comment on details but confirmed council solicitors were handling the matter.

The spokesman said the charges against Mr Vukelic, which include having an uncontrolled dog, and owning a dog which attacked a person and a cat, were technically criminal but not deemed serious.

It is understood council staff would have sought statements from witnesses, Bob's owner and the victim.

The woman who made the complaint did not return calls. Her partner said the legal action was brought by the council.

While celebrities and neighbours are rallying around him, Bob seems relaxed about his future.

He is still enjoying his food, dining on his favourite chicken wings, and playing with his stuffed cow and a stuffed giraffe called George.

From newscorp