Woman issued shock fine while dining at Queensland cafe with pet dog

An unlucky Queensland woman has copped a huge fine for breaking a new rule while out for coffee with her furry friend.

Locals who frequent Robyn's fashion boutique Whit and Watt at Moffat Beach on the Sunshine Coast know her blue heeler, Violet, is never far behind.

"Every morning we go to the beach together .. she's with me 24/7, she comes to work every day," Robyn said.

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"She's just a very relaxed, chilled dog. She's deaf, she's my heart and soul [and] she's just a big teddy bear really."

Working seven days a week to keep doors open during the cost of living crisis, Robyn had just stopped for a coffee break outside her store, when two female council workers approached.

"She was on lead, I had her underneath my foot, she was just sitting there next to me and 10 minutes later the ladies came around the corner, they told me [off] about not having the dog lead on my hand," she said.

Despite Violet wearing a collar and being on a leash, Robyn claims council staff accused her of failing to control Violet in a public space.

Robyn claims the council workers issued her a warning before leaving, telling her further action would be discussed with a supervisor.

"I spoke to the supervisor at the council the next day and she said that it would be a warning," Robyn said.

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But days later the council backflipped on their decisions and slapped Robyn with an $806 fine.

"It is extremely excessive considering I had her on a lead and a collar and securely under my foot she was just sitting there relaxed," Robyn said.

"If she had attacked or done wrong thing I would take responsibility, but this is totally wrong."

In a statement to A Current Affair, Sunshine Coast Council said it had undertaken an "extensive community education campaign" to make dog owners aware of their responsibilities under the new law.

"Council takes community concerns seriously and is available to meet with the customer to discuss their concerns and explain the reasoning behind our actions," a council spokesperson said.

Robyn has now taken her case to the mayor's office and still intends to fight the fine.

FULL SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL STATEMENT

Council takes community concerns seriously and is available to meet with the customer to discuss their concerns and explain the reasoning behind our actions.

Sunshine Coast Council is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and community safety.

In July 2024, the Queensland state government introduced a new off leash penalty for dogs which were not under effective control.

This change is part of a broader effort to reduce dog attacks and improve community safety.

Under the new Queensland wide definition of 'effective control', a person is considered to have effective control of a dog if they are physically capable of controlling the dog and are holding it by a leash, lead, or other restraining device.

Sunshine Coast Council has undertaken an extensive community education campaign, including an education first approach, prior to issuing a fine, to make dog owners aware of their responsibilities under the new law.

Council will continue to partner with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to enforce these new regulations.