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Ronnie and Max still on the run

Posted on September 16, 2009, 6:06pm and updated on September 17, 2009 at 9:53 am

Condemned canine fugitive Max continues to elude capture, but homesickness threatens to overwhelm the dog’s owner Ronnie Gilbertson.

Mr Gilbertson fled the South East after freeing his pet from the Mount Gambier pound on September 7, minutes before Max’s scheduled court-ordered execution for mauling sheep and other dogs.

Speaking to The Border Watch today, Mr Gilbertson laughingly said Max had been eaten by a salt water crocodile.

But suddenly serious, he said he was missing his wife and children (a two-year-old daughter and infant son) immeasurably and was thinking of having the pooch put down.

Sounding dejected, in contrast with his previous jubilant local press communication, Mr Gilbertson said he was still “battling the forces of evil” (Grant District Council).

He is currently awaiting a District Court ruling on a $20,000 compensation claim for legal fees sought by council.

“I’m not scared to come home and face the music, but I wouldn’t be able to bring Max with me,” Mr Gilbertson said.

“At least if I took him to a vet to get put down I could be there for it.

“Council wasn’t going to let me be with him when they planned to put him to sleep.

“It’s the principle of the thing.”

According to Mr Gilbertson, eight-year-old Max has lived a “damned good” life.

“He’s even got some female company at the moment, a little Maltese cross where I’m staying,” he said, declining to reveal the exact location, except to say it was “10km north of the black stump”.

“I love my dog, but if it’s between him and my family, they’re going to win,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of community support with people sending me messages.

“One woman wrote a two-page letter saying ‘good on you for standing up to the council’.”

Mr Gilbertson said he would continue to care for Max until he reached a decision.

He has not yet contacted police.

It was unclear whether Max could face extradition if the pair have fled interstate.

ELLIE TURNER

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Comments

7 Responses to “Ronnie and Max still on the run”

  1. Ray Dixon (Bright) on September 16th, 2009 7:00 pm 1

    Run, Ronnie, run.

  2. the diplomat on September 16th, 2009 7:46 pm 2

    Ronnie could come back to a film or book rights contract! Good on ya Ronnie — it is the aussie tradition to defy authority and have people barrack for the underdog. (of course I do not condone any of what I said if it leads to violence or people being hurt or anti-social behavior). The few times I have spoken to him I have found him to be friendly and a person of character.

  3. Ebony Jackson on September 17th, 2009 6:37 pm 3

    Could be the next big Mad Max series.

  4. Steven on September 17th, 2009 6:47 pm 4

    Has anyone asked the residents of Moorak what they think? Max killed sheep and other dogs, that’s why he’s in this predicament. Unfortunately when an owner allows a dog to roam and kill other animals they invite the authorities to act. Once a dog gets a taste for blood, it’s hard to stop.

  5. Gabriella on September 17th, 2009 9:02 pm 5

    GO RONNIE! Please leave Max with friends. Your mate deserves a second chance. Stuff the stupid laws! YOU ROCK!

  6. Pyrrho on September 18th, 2009 10:19 am 6

    In the history of this Shakespearean tragedy, has anyone given thought to the families of the sheep that were most cruelly slain by this hell hound?

  7. MR S on September 18th, 2009 9:54 pm 7

    I disagree with you Gabriella, in Stevens coment it states that the dog has killed sheep and other dogs so if i count correctly its had its second chance how many more chances before it could be a innocent person that the dog turns on ???

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