Karl Stefanovic's German Shepherd dog placed on Australia Post watch list following incident

3 hours ago 10

By JIMMY BRIGGS, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 05:57 BST, 13 September 2026 | Updated: 05:57 BST, 13 September 2026

Karl Stefanovic's German shepherd Chance has been flagged by Australia Post as a potential danger to postal workers delivering to properties where the dog has lived or been cared for.

The eight-year-old dog, known as Chance the Yapper, has been added to an internal warning system used by Australia Post to alert drivers and on-foot postal workers to potential hazards at properties.

It comes after the dog was the subject of a dangerous dog declaration following an incident near Stefanovic's property in Sydney's lower North Shore earlier this year.

Australia Post confirmed that its system contains warnings relating to properties where Chance has been present, although a spokesman told the Courier Mail that no postal worker had been attacked by a dog at either of the two Castlecrag properties linked to the warning.

Chance has been a regular feature on the Stefanovics' social media accounts and was photographed being walked in Castlecrag this week wearing a muzzle.

The warning for postal workers comes as Karl and his wife Jasmine continue to deal with the fallout from an April incident which resulted in North Sydney Council declaring Chance a dangerous dog.

Karl Stefanovic's German shepherd Chance has been flagged by Australia Post as a potential danger to postal workers delivering to properties where the dog has lived or been cared for

Residents in the affluent Sydney suburb have also spoken about the German shepherd's reputation in the neighbourhood.

'There's people who cross the road if they see him because they don't want their own dog getting attacked,' one resident told the Courier Mail

'And it's the lower North Shore – most people have those little fluffy dogs.'

The April 18 incident occurred at about 12.45pm near an Ampol service station on Military Road in Neutral Bay while Chance was being walked by someone other than Karl or Jasmine.

Court documents described the attack as being 'without provocation' and said the person involved suffered a 'serious injury'.

The documents also initially stated that Chance had attacked another dog, although North Sydney Council later acknowledged that this was an incorrect entry.

Council issued the dangerous dog declaration to the Stefanovics on July 15.

Under the original proposed declaration, Chance would have been required to remain in an enclosure in the backyard and the couple would have been required to display a dangerous dog sign at their home.

The eight-year-old dog, known as Chance the Yapper, has been added to an internal warning system used by Australia Post to alert drivers and on-foot postal workers to potential hazards at properties

It comes after the dog was the subject of a dangerous dog declaration following an incident near Stefanovic's property in Sydney's lower North Shore earlier this year 

The order also carried the possibility of Chance being euthanised if its conditions were breached.

The Stefanovics challenged the declaration and engaged ACT solicitor Anne Greenaway, who specialises in dog-related legal matters.

Jasmine subsequently launched legal action in Hornsby Local Court on August 6.

The matter was listed for a hearing last Thursday before the council and the Stefanovics reached an agreement.

Under the four-year control order, Chance must be muzzled and kept on a leash whenever he is walked in public.

The couple must also install a clear 'Warning Dog' sign at their home within two weeks.

The sign must measure at least 40cm by 40cm, with lettering at least 50mm high and 10mm wide.

Chance must also undertake behavioural or socialisation training with a qualified expert within six months, with a certificate of completion to then be provided to council.

The control order carries serious consequences if breached, with court documents stating the owners could be guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalties for breaching a dangerous dog order include a fine of up to $16,500, five years' imprisonment and the dog being put to sleep.

Read Entire Article