PHOTO: Staffordshire bull terrier. ANIMAL CORNER
Two real estate agents in Broome were viciously attacked by dogs during a scheduled property inspection — and now the owner of the animals, Anthony Lanzi, has been fined $7,000 following a string of dangerous dog charges.
The shocking incident took place in February 2024 during what should have been a routine inspection. Instead, it ended in bloodshed, panic, and trauma — with agent Tony Hutchinson suffering severe leg wounds and escaping only by leaping onto the bonnet of a nearby car while his colleague Phil Oakden distracted the animals.
“I thought I was going to die,” Hutchinson later said.
Tony Hutchinson was left with large wounds from the dog attack. (Supplied: Tony Hutchinson)
🐾 What happened?
Lanzi’s two Staffordshire bull terriers, already declared dangerous in Queensland, attacked without warning during the inspection at a Waterbank property just outside Broome. Lanzi was not present at the time.
His defence? He claimed to have left a message with his property manager to warn the agents — a claim disputed by prosecutors.
⚖️ 11 Charges – And a History of Violence
Lanzi faced 11 charges, including:
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5 x Dog attack or chase causing injury
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3 x Failing to register dogs
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Allowing a declared dangerous dog to go unmarked
To make matters worse, four of the charges stemmed from a second attack in January 2025 when the same dogs attacked beachgoers and their pets in Coconut Wells. At that time, Lanzi had left the dogs in a friend’s care while out of town.
Both dogs have since been euthanised.
The court also heard the same dogs were involved in a 2020 attack in Cairns, prompting their “dangerous” classification — information Lanzi failed to declare when relocating to Western Australia.
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🧑⚖️ Court Slams Deflection, Denial & Delay
Broome Magistrate Deen Potter criticised Lanzi for repeatedly deflecting blame — first onto his property managers, then onto the friend watching his home during the second attack.
“There was a real deflection of responsibility,” Potter said.
“These incidents were not trivial. There was significant emotional and physical stress caused.”
Shire of Broome lawyer Tim Houweling added that Lanzi was uncooperative, failed to provide correct microchip data, and had knowingly brought dangerous dogs into WA without proper disclosure.
🛑 A Warning to Property Professionals
The case has rattled the real estate community, where agent safety during private inspections and open homes is a growing concern.
This incident serves as a serious reminder:
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Clear communication with vendors and tenants is vital
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Agent safety protocols must be non-negotiable
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Dog declarations should never be taken at face value
🐶 *For every agent out there conducting inspections – this is your wake-up call.
Property can be dangerous. Be prepared.*
SOURCE: ABC