Award-winning singer songwriter Tones and I has been fined after her American bulldog killed her neighbour’s cavoodle outside her home on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

The pop singer, whose real name is Toni Elizabeth Watson, was charged after her dog Boss escaped from her property in Mt Eliza in November and mauled her neighbour’s 17-year-old cavoodle.

9News understands the neighbour had set off on a walk with his two cavoodles when he noticed Watson’s chocolate labrador Charlie was locked out.

He notified Watsons’s friend, who had just arrived at the mansion, and, as she opened the gate to retrieve the labrador, Boss escaped and launched at the cavoodle.

Watson’s dog bit the cavoodle on the neck and refused to let go. 

The cavoodle died and two of the three people who it took to separate the dogs were also injured.

The matter was heard at Dromana Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Watson is in the US recording her next album, so her lawyer appeared on her behalf.

She was ordered to pay more than $3000 in fines for failing to properly secure and register her dog.

It’s understood she has accepted full responsibility and remains on good terms with her next-door neighbours. 

Animal behaviourist Ana Goncalves Costa said the situation appeared to be bad luck.

“I really feel for everyone involved, because it’s a horrendous situation to be in,” she said.

“Attacks can happen really quickly, and the can escalate really quickly as well.

“And my understanding is that a bit of bad luck played a role in here in terms of timing.”