At Monday night’s Council meeting councillors voted unanimously to uphold the declarations, following an appeal by the dog’s owner to revoke the status. 

Will, a brindle cross breed dog, and Snoopy, a border collie, were brought to the attention of Council rangers in early 2009 after several complaints the dogs were roaming and acting aggressively.

After a couple of occasions where Will had entered someone else’s premises, a nuisance order was issued and his owner fined.

Seven days after the incident it was claimed Will and Snoopy attacked two people in a public place, although they did not make contact with the complainants. The dogs were declared dangerous on March 19, 2009.

A dog can be declared dangerous if there is evidence it rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal, whether injury is caused or not.

During the four years the status has been in place Council rangers have had no further dealings with the dogs. 

But councillors were not satisfied Snoopy and Will had reformed their menacing ways with there being little evidence provided the dogs wouldn’t pose a risk to the public if the declaration was revoked.

Councillor Rob Richardson said there would be room for the dog’s owner to make further applications to have the status removed provided there was a strong indication the dogs were no longer dangerous.

“It has left the kennel door open, so to speak,” Cr Richardson said.