Arthur Kalamaras is hoping he can save Rocket from being destroyed and said he is disappointed that the dog has been labelled as dangerous, despite evidence to the contrary. By Melissa Meehan and Lilly O’Gorman
A PAKENHAM dog has captured the hearts of people all over the world, as one family heads to the Supreme Court to save their beloved pet.
As Arthur Kalamaris joined protestors marching to the steps of Parliament in Melbourne on Sunday against Breed Specific Legislation, his own personal battle is gaining momentum.
At the protest Mr Kalamaris told Channel Ten of his fight to save his dog from being destroyed by Cardinia Shire Council under new dangerous dog laws introduced in September last year.
Almost 6000 people have signed up to the Facebook page “Help save Rocket! Another victim of Victorian BSL”.
And now the public are getting on board the campaign by signing an online petition and vowing to pledge funds towards the legal battle to save Rocket.
Yesterday (Wednesday) the family appealed to their followers to donate to a fund for the legal costs of taking their fight to the Supreme Court.
Mr Kalamaris said they would be looking at $27,000 if they won and $50,000 if they lost.
“I am gob-smacked, I honestly don’t know what to do,” Mr Kalamaris said.
American Pit Bull Terrier Club of Australia secretary Bonnie Norton said she had been in contact with Rocket’s owners since the dog was seized and she was helping set up a fundraising account.
“I think it’s simple. Rocket didn’t do anything wrong while he was at large. Throw the book at the owners, but for crying out loud don’t take their dog’s life,” Ms Norton said.
“There’s no such thing as dangerous breeds, but there are dangerous dogs.”
While Mr Kalamaris and his family were unsure whether they would raise the thousands of dollars needed to battle for Rocket’s life in the Supreme Court, he said the response from the public had been overwhelming.
“There is a newspaper in the UK wanting to do an article and people from the UK and USA wanting to donate.
“I am really overwhelmed to the public’s response and it’s really nice to see that people care.”
Rocket escaped from the Kalamaras’ home when storms and wild winds forced the fence down.
The council collected and impounded the dog on 25 March.
Cardinia Shire acting compliance manager Brooke Ranken said the council had no option but to destroy the dog because of State Government regulations.
“Rocket was assessed as a Restricted Breed Dog, which cannot be registered by the council under state regulation,” Ms Ranken said.
But Mr Kalamaras still argues Rocket is not a pit bull.
“We have evidence from DNA samples that Rocket isn’t a pit bull, that he is an American Staffordshire Cross Bull Terrier, but the council won’t listen,” Mr Kalamaras said.
The petition to save Rocket can be found at www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-rocket-from-bsl.htmll
