Queensland dog owner fails to have $806 off-leash fine reducedBy Chloe ChomickiABC North QldTopic:Dogs1h ago1 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 6:54amBart Cwiklinski was walking his dog Luna when he copped the $806 fine. (ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki)In short:A North Queensland man who was fined for walking his dog with no lead has failed to have his $806 penalty reduced.The Queensland government toughened dog ownership legislation last year and some fines more than doubled.What's next?Bart Cwiklinski wants fellow Queensland dog owners to be aware of the penalties so they are not caught by surprise.abc.net.au/news/queenslander-appeals-806-dollar-fine-walking-dog-without-leash/105233522Link copiedShareShare articleA Queenslander fined for walking his dog without a leash says he is shocked by how much penalties have increased.Bart Cwiklinski and his obedient, partially blind dog Luna were stopped by a council officer near an off-leash dog park in Townsville late last year.Officers can exercise discretion and issue warnings but slapped Mr Cwiklinski, a first-time offender, with an $806 fine on the spot."I was calm, compliant, admitted guilt, I was sure I would get a warning," Mr Cwiklinski said."When I heard the fine was $806, that blew my mind."After hearing of other cases in which dog walkers were given warnings Mr Cwiklinski decided to challenge the infringement, but the fine was upheld in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday.Bart Cwiklinski says many dog owners are unaware of how steep the penalty can be. (ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki)Maximum fine exceeds $8kDuring that hearing Mr Cwiklinski pleaded guilty and expressed remorse but argued his dog was well-trained and that he should have received a warning."I sympathise with him — it is a large sum," Townsville City Council solicitor Alana Divett said."However, the maximum fine for the same offence is $8,065."Acting Magistrate Kerri Fredericks said if Mr Cwiklinski had a lead with him on the day he may not have been penalised.Mr Cwiklinski pleaded guilty to not exercising effective control of a dog in a public place. (ABC North Qld: Rachael Merritt)"You might have got a warning, but in your case they considered the fact that you weren't even carrying a lead," she said.Magistrate Fredricks said the law applied to all dogs and that the penalties varied."If your dog was a badly behaved dog, then your case would be in a higher category," she said.Townsville City Council told the ABC its officers were unable to make exceptions to the law when it was "evident" that an an animal was "not under effective control".Owners have 'absolutely no idea'In July 2024 the Queensland government amended dog ownership laws due to a rise in complaints and attacks.Dog owners who fail to keep their animal under "effective control" in public can be issued on-the-spot-fines.The government states that a person has "effective control" if they are able to physically control the dog, have it on a leash or are supervising it in an off-leash area.Mr Cwiklinski felt Queensland dog owners were being caught off guard and were unaware the off-leash penalty had increased."They have absolutely no idea," he said."It is not a deterrent if people do not know about it."Bart Cwiklinski says Luna is getting used to being on a leash. (ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki)Mr Cwiklinski says Luna, who can sit, shake and high five, has adjusted well to wearing a lead but enjoys the off-leash park.He says he has been warning other dog owners in the park about the increased penalties by asking them to guess the severity of the fine."The guesses are usually $50, $100 or $200," Mr Cwiklinski said."But no, it used to be $320 — now it is $806."Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 6:54amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesNationals senator 'can't comment' on whether One Nation is IslamophobicLIVEIs the Voice back? Peter Dutton wants you to believe it isSAnalysis by Stephanie DalzellPhoto shows Peter Dutton smiles, standing among a group of people in a darkened room. 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