A Geraldton magistrate has issued a hefty fine for a dog owner, whose dog attacked two people on two separate occasions.

Key points: The bull mastiff was declared a dangerous dog after it attacked a teenage boy in 2016

The bull mastiff was declared a dangerous dog after it attacked a teenage boy in 2016 In 2018 the dog attacked a man, prompting the owner to surrender the dog to the pound

In 2018 the dog attacked a man, prompting the owner to surrender the dog to the pound The dog was broken out of the pound one day later and remains at large

The bull mastiff, named Buddy, was declared a dangerous dog after it attacked a teenage boy in June 2016.

In late June 2016, Anthony Thomas Farrell was sent a letter by the City of Greater Geraldton spelling out the conditions for keeping a dangerous dog, including that the dog needed to be muzzled and signs erected at the house warning that a dangerous dog lived there.

This week, Mr Farrell was convicted over a second attack that occurred in February 2018.

A 36-year-old man suffered puncture wounds to his abdomen and leg in the 2018 dog attack. ( Supplied: City of Greater Geraldton )

The Geraldton Magistrates Court heard the bull mastiff lunged at Garry James as he was walking with his partner to a service station in Geraldton.



The dog bit him on the stomach, forcing him to the ground before biting him on the back of his leg.



"It was pitch black, I couldn't see it coming," Mr James said outside court.



"I was terrified. It was probably one of the worst nights I've had in my life. I still get nightmares."



The 36-year-old said he feared the dog would attack a child.

"It's a bit nerve-wracking actually, because it could do some damage to more people — even kids — and cause more damage to them too," he said.

Dog surrendered then broken out of pound

After the attack, Mr Farrell surrendered Buddy to the pound, but 24 hours later someone broke into the facility and stole the animal.

A destruction order is in place for Buddy but his whereabouts is unknown. ( Supplied: City of Greater Geraldton )

Its whereabouts remain unknown but a destruction order has been made for when the dog is found.

Mr Farrell, 53, was found guilty on Monday of a dog attack or chase causing physical injury over the 2018 attack.

He was also convicted of failing to ensure the dangerous dog wore a muzzle when not confined, failing to ensure control, and failing to notify the local government of the attack.

He was cleared of failing to ensure the animal wore an appropriate collar.

Message needed

Mr Farrell gave evidence that Buddy was his dog but not responsible for the attack.

He said when the attack was over he saw his dog in the house but acknowledged the front door was open.

Magistrate Sandra De Maio said a clear message needed to be sent to the public that owning a dangerous dog meant complying with strict conditions and there was "no room to manoeuvre".

Ms De Maio said the dog "should not have been out the front" of the house.

"[The dog] should not have been in a position where he attacked someone again," she said.

Mr Farrell, who was on Centrelink benefits and had lost his daughter recently, was fined $3,000 and ordered to pay the prosecution costs of $5,500.