Fined, but groggy Bella in no mood to move
4 Mins Read MOUNT MARTHA dog owner David Ball says he is prepared to go to jail rather than pay a fine imposed by Mornington Penonsula Shire for his dog Bella, who finds it hard to move, but was booked for being out of bounds. Pictures: Gary Sissons Share
BELLA was finding it hard to move, but was booked for being out of bounds.
A MOUNT Martha dog owner says he will “go to jail” rather than pay a $248 dog-at-large fine incurred last month.
David Ball, of Samuel Close, said his 14-year-old Staffordshire, Bella, was “nabbed by default” as the Mornington Peninsula Shire officer was in the dead-end street, possibly looking for another dog which had “rushed” a neighbour, Wednesday 21 April.
COVID hits shire’s bottom line
THE economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is being felt at all levels of Australian government, with Mornington Peninsula Shire factoring in revenue losses of $9.4 million.
In his introduction to the shire’s 2019-20 annual report CEO John Baker refers to “operational savings” of $3m, $1.4m saved by not filling staff vacancies and cuts of $1.7m to materials and services.
“The shire itself has not been immune from the financial impacts of COVID. Modelling suggests non-rate income could be reduced by around $6 million,” Mr Baker states.
Without providing actual figures, Mr Baker says that both he and the then mayor, Cr Sam Hearn voluntarily took pay cuts. In Cr Hearn’s case it was 20 per cent for several months of his estimated $100,000 allowance and for Mr Baker “a substantial reduction in my own salary”.