Inquest into Meter Reader's Death by Guard Dogs Highlights Safety Failures

An inquest into the tragic death of meter reader Kane Minion, who was mauled by guard dogs in 2022, has begun, bringing to light significant safety concerns. Minion, 42, was attacked at a property in Greenbank, south of Brisbane, while performing his duties for Energy Queensland. His family and fiancée are seeking answers and closure as the proceedings unfold.

Key Takeaways

• Two aggressive guard dogs were present at the property where meter reader Kane Minion was fatally attacked.
• The dogs had previously menaced another worker days before the fatal incident.
• The property owners claimed the dogs were "family pets" despite a "Guard Dogs On Duty" warning sign.
• Concerns about the safety protocols for frontline workers have been raised.

The Fatal Attack

Kane Minion was fatally attacked by a bull mastiff and a ridgeback at an equipment hire property owned by the Morrow family around Christmas 2022. The dogs were reportedly kept behind two security fences, and visitors were warned about their aggressive nature. A sign at the entrance stated "Guard Dogs On Duty Do Not Enter."

Previous Incident

Days before Minion's death, a technician named Brian Harnett was also menaced by the same dogs while visiting the property. Harnett reported that the dogs rushed him and barked aggressively at his car. He was assured by the owner's son that the dogs would be secured, but they were not. Harnett did not report the incident, believing it was a genuine mistake and not wanting to cause further problems.

Owner's Defence

Dean Morrow, one of the property owners, described the dogs as "more like family pets" and denied they were aggressive. He stated the warning sign was merely to notify people that dogs were on the premises. However, under questioning, he admitted the sign was for public safety. He also mentioned that his relationship with his wife, Paula, who was responsible for informing him of visitors, had broken down.

Calls for Change

Minion's fiancée, Toni Baird, and other loved ones attended the inquest seeking closure and hoping for meaningful change to protect frontline workers. Travis Schultz, Baird's lawyer, expressed their hope that the inquest would lead to improvements in safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Minion had reportedly been a meter reader for seven years and had received dog safety training.

Sources

• Guard dogs menaced worker before meter reader killed, 9News.com.au.
• Guard dogs menaced worker before meter reader killed | The Canberra Times, The Canberra Times.
• Subscribe to The Courier Mail for exclusive stories, The Courier Mail.
• Subscribe to The Courier Mail for exclusive stories, The Courier Mail.
• Latest news and headlines from Australia and the world, 9News.com.au.