‘Dangerous dog’s’ release divides Queensland neighbourhood

He is the three-year-old family dog who has divided a neighbourhood – and communities across the country.

Hank the mastiff is responsible for biting a young girl on the face two years ago.

He has spent the past 16 months at the pound on death row but has now been returned home, and is living just a few doors down from his victim.

"We've never denied Hank did injure the child and we're quite remorseful for the child," Hank's owner Nathan Wallace told 9NEWS.

Mr Wallace said the incident was a collision and that attacking was not in the dog's nature.

But the mother of the then 7-year-old has told 9NEWS exclusively it was no accident and that the dog is dangerous and should be put down.

"When I told my daughter he was back in the street she was utterly sobbing her heart out," she said.

Hank's owners took the local council to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal three times to fight for his release.

On the first two occasions the court upheld the council's decision to have the animal destroyed, but when the family appealed for a third time last month, the court decided Hank wasn't dangerous.

The Moreton Bay Regional Council mayor Allan Sutherland said this is a miscarriage of justice.

"I do think Hank should have been destroyed. I don't think we can risk another child having the same facial injuries as this child has," he told 9NEWS.

Hank is now a declared dangerous dog.

He must be kept in his own pen and will be required to wear a muzzle and be on a lead in public.