Melbourne dog owner is hit with massive fine after breaking a little-known rule - and you won't believe what it was for

A dog owner has been left stunned after she was slapped with a substantial fine for an unusual breach of the law on her own property. 

Judy Murphy, 79, from Sandringham, south of Melbourne, was fined for breaking a little-known rule after a neighbour reported her to local council.

A photo of Ms Murphy's Maltese Shih Tzu, Clarrie, standing on the front driveway of her home was sent to Bayside City Council.

Ms Murphy said she then received a $288 fine because the five-year-old pup was 'off lead'. 

In the photo, Clarrie can be spotted in a communal driveway at the Sandringham housing complex. 

'He wasn't going anywhere,' Ms Murphy said. 

'He was just looking for his mates, I think. He's my best little mate and wouldn't hurt a fly.'

One neighbour said the fine was 'totally unreasonable' while another said Ms Murphy should have only received a warning, but she did need to tie up her dog.

Bayside City Council defended the fine in a statement to 7News. 

'Council issued an infringement notice to a dog owner after receiving multiple complaints about a dog not being securely confined to the owner's premises,' it said.

'Allowing a dog to roam in an unfenced front yard or unsecured open area is an offence against the Domestic Animals Act.

'The dog owner had been spoken to multiple times and was aware her dog needed to be secured to the property to prevent injury, nuisance or attacks.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Bayside City Council for comment. 

The neighbour who made the complaint said they were happy with a fine being issued to Clarrie's owner. 

They claimed they had spoken to Ms Murphy about her pet multiple times before taking the matter to the council.   

On social media, locals were divided in their reactions to the incident.   

One Facebook user described it as an 'absolute council overreach'.

Another said the council's response was 'absurd'.

'There's so many wrongs here, and none of them by that woman or her little dog,' a third said. 

Some however agreed with the actions of Bayside City Council.

'Many issues are caused by "sweet little dogs" that are not under control,' one said.