Tragic detail after meter reader mauled to death by dogs
A family is in mourning after an electricity meter reader, who only become engaged on Christmas Day last year, was mauled to death while visiting a home in South East Queensland.
Kane Minion, 42, had entered the Logan property via the front gate of a long, winding driveway at around 11am on Saturday before he was set upon by two dogs, The Courier Mail reported. However it is not yet clear at what point the attack occurred.
By the time emergency services arrived at the Ison Road address in Greenbank, which featured a sign reading "warning — guard dogs on duty", the Energex contractor was lying unconscious on the ground with serious injuries. Tragically nothing could be done to save him and he died at the scene.
Friends grieving as online debate fires up
There has been an outpouring of tributes for Mr Minion, an animal lover who posted photos to Facebook of him cuddling dogs. He'd been engaged less than a year after popping the question on Christmas Day in 2021. At the time of this death, he and his fiancé had been together for more than 10 years.
“RIP Kane Minion,” one friend wrote on Facebook. “Hard to believe, rest in peace brother.”
“Very sorry to hear,” said another. “Rest easy,” someone else added.
“[The] poor bloke was just trying to do his job,” typed another friend.
“Feel bad for his family [especially] this close to Christmas," wrote another.
News of his death sparked debate on social media.
“The death of electricity meter reader Kane Minion by two large dogs is not only a tragedy for his family but also the wider community and is indicative of the ignorance and lack of responsibility of some dog owners as to the dangers of dog ownership,” one person wrote.
Others pressed that home owners must tell their utilities provider that they have guard dogs on their property. “Not only has a human life ended too soon, but those dogs [lives] will no doubt be ended as well,” someone added.
Another person claimed the dogs were only acting on instinct. “Whilst this is so very, very sad, [and] my heart goes out to all the families involved, there was a sign saying ‘guard dogs on duty’. The dogs were doing what they were supposed to do and that is [to] protect.”
Fate of dogs undecided
Both dogs were immediately seized by Logan City Council workers in the wake of the fatal attack, but their fate is yet to be decided, the ABC reports.
While it's believed that neither the bandog-bull mastiff cross or Rhodesian ridgeback have a history of violence or previous incidents, it is understood the dogs were usually restrained behind a secondary fence closer to the house during visits by meter readers.
A council spokesperson confirmed to the publication on Monday that both dogs were in the council's pound and that it would be up to police to decide if or when to put them down. It is believed that decision is yet to be made.
"An investigation is still underway and council is cooperating with Workplace Health and Safety and Queensland Police," a spokesperson told the ABC.
It's been revealed that the owners were not at home at the time of the incident.
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