A man threatened to kill rangers and shoot council staff after his daughter’s two dangerous dogs were seized.
Craig Smith, 61, of Mooroopna pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to two counts of making threats to kill and a charge of behaving in an offensive manner.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Luke Lund told the court rangers and police seized two dangerous dogs from a house in Toolamba on February 7.
While driving back to Shepparton, Smith gestured for the rangers and police to pull over but they did not.
When they arrived back at the animal shelter in Shepparton, Smith went to the window of the ranger’s vehicle and said, “You both are f****** dead. I’ll kill you”, Sen Constable Lund said.
He then gestured to punch the vehicle, but instead punched the air.
The court was told that shortly afterwards, Smith went to the Greater Shepparton City Council office where he was using threatening words.
Smith told staff, “How dare you take my dog away. I’ll shoot you all,” Sen Constable Lund said.
The court heard Smith followed that up with, “I’ll be back with something and there’ll be blood”.
Sen Constable Lund said in an interview with police, Smith told them he had no intention to follow through with his threats.
Smith’s solicitor Peter Randles told the court the dogs were owned by Smith’s daughter who had rang him upset about the rangers taking the dogs after a year-long dispute with the council over them.
Smith was concerned about his daughter’s welfare when he confronted the rangers and staff, the court heard.
Mr Randles told the court that at the age of 61, his client had gone a long time without any “blemishes” on his record.
However, with his wife dying four years ago, he was now “trying to be a father and a mother for his children and grandchildren”, Mr Randles said.
The defence solicitor also said police were present at the animal shelter when Smith threatened the rangers there, and at the council office the mayor spoke to him and calmed him down.
“He regrets his actions and concedes he went over the top and shouldn’t have said what he did,” Mr Randles said.
He also told the court Smith had a history of mental health issues and had undergone therapy and counselling and was now on medication.
Magistrate Ian Watkins fined Smith $1500 and ordered him to pay $136.50 in court costs.
“I understand that when you had a phone call from your daughter distressed that you became distressed,” Mr Watkins said.
“But it is no excuse for what you did.
“You didn’t intend to carry out the things you said at the council office, but they (the staff) weren’t to know that.”