Fraser Coast Man Gets Out of $718 Fine After His German Shepherd Dogs Seen Looking Through Fence

Saga Has Since Been Resolved After Going Viral Online

A tradie from Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast of Queensland was recently embroiled in a dogfight with his local Council after his two German Shepherds were caught looking through a gap in the front fence. The Council issued him a compliance notice, and a fine of $718 for not ensuring his yard was ‘suitably fenced and constructed of strong materials and designed in such a way to prevent [you’re] animals from protruding over, under, or through a fence.’

The man, who goes by the Angry Mechanic on TikTok, took to social media to express his outrage, and the saga went viral online, attracting the attention of millions of viewers. On Monday, he shared a surprising update that the Fraser Coast Council had backed down and withdrawn the fair and non-compliance notice.

German SDog Owner Thanks to Everyone Who Offered Support

The dog owner thanked everyone who offered their support and explained that all he had to do was put a little bit of chicken wire in between the fence holes. He said this would have been a much more reasonable request than a $718 fine. In his original video, the man said, “Apparently, today is d***head day. That’s my dog, a photo taken by a Karen (and it’s funny because her name is Karen) standing on my median strip, picture of my dogs; there’s the fine amount, $718 for that picture. $718! Fraser Coast Council, you a bunch of lowlifes, scummy c****. If you wanted to borrow some money, ask.”

The video has since attracted almost 310,000 views and was inundated with messages of support urging the dog owner to contest the fine. He also claimed he was given just two weeks to pay the fine, which, if he failed to do so, would then soar to $7,000.

Fraser Coast Council Denies Fine Was Issued Because Dogs Were Looking Through Fence

The dog owner was also sent a photo taken by a ‘Karen’ of his German Shepherds peeking through the fence as proof of the council breach. He said his dogs were ‘not angry’ and were behind a ‘sturdy gate.’ Fraser Coast Council denied the owner’s claims the fine was issued because his dogs were looking through the fence.

A spokesman told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, “Following discussions with the dog owner on actions to improve the fencing, Council agreed to waive the fine. Council would rather see the funds put into works to ensure the enclosure is effective, keeping the dogs contained, to remove further opportunities for them to wander.” The man posted videos updating viewers on the ongoing saga and footage of his dogs being of no harm to anyone, including children. He admitted his dogs had previously escaped from the electric fence, which has since been disabled, so the gate can only be opened and closed manually.

The Fraser Coast Council has since waived the fine after the viral saga made national headlines. The dog owner shared an update on Monday after Council agreed to waive the fine and non-compliance notice.