Brisbane dog attack: Council withdraws order to put down dogs that mauled jogger Ajay Malik

Two dogs that viciously mauled a Brisbane jogger will not be put down immediately, with the council withdrawing its original destruction order as it pursues tougher penalties against their owner.

Prominent real estate agent Ajay Malik, 37, was critically injured when he was attacked by the two dogs while running through Seventh Brigade Park at Chermside, in Brisbane’s north, about 6.15pm on Friday, October 16.

Malik suffered serious injuries to his face and both arms and was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition.

His family has since launched a $300,000 fundraising campaign to help cover his recovery and living expenses, with his brother-in-law warning he faces a long physical and emotional recovery.

Brisbane City Council initially issued the dogs’ owner with a destruction order on Saturday, October 17, before withdrawing it on Wednesday and issuing a proposed dangerous dog declaration under Queensland’s Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.

Both dogs remain securely held at a council facility.

Council said the decision to escalate its enforcement action under state legislation would allow it to pursue significantly tougher penalties against the owner, including maximum penalties of up to $120,890 or two years’ imprisonment, depending on the offence, if convicted.

The maximum fine available under council’s local law is $51,810.

“The seriousness of this attack demands the strongest possible response, which is why we’ve escalated our action to pursue much tougher penalties against the owner,” council said.

“We know people want swift action and so do we, but we must follow the State Government’s strict legal processes.”

The dogs, described as a bulldog-American staffordshire terrier cross and a bulldog-boxer cross, were registered to the same address and had not previously been declared dangerous.

Their owner, 22-year-old Layla Evans, had been living in a tent at the park and previously said the dogs were secured inside before they managed to escape.

Evans was arrested over an unrelated matter soon after the attack but has not been charged.

Under the proposed declaration process, the owner has 14 days from October 21 to respond.

Council will then consider any response before deciding whether to formally declare the dogs dangerous and issue new destruction orders.

If new orders are issued, the owner can request a review within 14 days and, if the orders are upheld, has a further 28 days to appeal to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The dogs could be destroyed if the process concludes with the orders upheld and no appeal is lodged, although the timing will also depend on the ongoing Queensland Police investigation.

Council said it was working closely with police and would not speculate on any possible connection while their investigation continued.

Malik’s family has described the attack as a frightening, life-changing experience, with the injuries expected to prevent him from working for an extended period.