By LUKE VOOGT
EMPEROR Drive resident John Corlett fears for the safety of his dogs after receiving threatening anonymous letters recently in the mail.
“I don’t let my dogs outside when I’m out anymore,” John said.
“I even go out at night and check my boundaries with a torch before I let the dogs out.”
John photographed the latest letter on 9 May, which came with a clear sandwich bag containing two pieces of meat, with a white substance inside.
The letter reads: “LAST WARNING C***S. DOGS GET THESE IF YOU DON’T SHUT THEM UP ARROGANT, PROUD, SELFISH ASHOLES (sic).
OBEDIENCE TRAINING = ZERO. VET BILL = HUNDREDS. YOUR CHOICE!”
John received a “less threatening“ letter two weeks before, which his wife threw out.
He said he posted an invitation on his fence for the sender to talk to him personally.
“My dogs are precious to me,” he said.
“Anybody who would even contemplate killing or injuring an animal is cold, callous, and dangerous.”
The retired 73-year-old has lived in Ocean Grove for 20 years, and has always considered it a safe place.
“I’m angry because it’s a bit like vinegar in the wine,” he said.
“The Bellarine is one of the best places to live and then you get some nut-ball doing a thing like that.”
John has sought advice from a vet to reduce his dogs’ barking, who recommended food puzzles to keep them busy.
The vet, John said, discouraged bark collars and muzzles because they were “cruel”.
John struggles to imagine who left the note, and said that most of his neighbours have dogs of their own.
“Dog interaction is one of the things we love about living here,” he said.
“Barking is annoying but keeping them inside is impossible, they need exercise and they love people.”
John said his neighbour, who has lived in Ocean Grove for 25 years, received a similar threatening letter in the mail.
The Voice spoke to the neighbour, who did not wish to be named, to confirm this.
Other Ocean Grove residents posted copies of similar threatening letters with meat on Facebook.
John reported the incident to police, who are now investigating. Anyone with information can call Bellarine Police Station on 5256 2698.
