It has been one year since Annalyse Blyton's family lost the beautiful girl they deeply, deeply loved.
Grief and advocacy have become closely intertwined for the family of the 17-year-old who died after a dog attack at a Singleton home in September last year.
This week, they chose to be quiet and reflect. On Tuesday, Leasy's stepmother Naomi Benson will meet NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig to push for meaningful reform to ensure no other family has to suffer such devastating loss.
"We're still sitting here wondering what the penalty is, we're still in the dark 12 months on with what those penalties entail, because it seems to us like nothing has really happened," Ms Benson said.
"That's why we are fighting so hard for awareness around this situation. That's the only thing that's kept us going, to be honest."
Annalyse Blyton died at John Hunter Hospital after she suffered neck, face and back injuries in the attack.
Police shot dead a dog that was a mixed breed boxer, bull Arab and Irish wolfhound at the scene with permission from the owners.
What came out of that terrible loss was a campaign called Pink for Leasy in the teenager's name, calling for better enforcement, education, accountability and support for local councils implementing pet ownership legislation.
As part of her research, Ms Benson reviewed dog attack coronial inquiries since 2019 and found that they had consistently recommended more community awareness and tougher penalties for irresponsible dog owners.
An inquiry that examined a 2022 fatal dog attack on a two-year-old boy in the state's Central West recommended licensing requirements for dog ownership and harsher penalties for regulation breaches.
Ms Benson said a number of coronial findings were made before the fatal attack on Annalyse.
"That really hits hard when you think about it, because all the recommendations were just sitting on a piece of paper, and a lot of them could have prevented what happened that day," Ms Benson said.
"As we speak now, we're actually waiting for another three fatal dog attack coronial inquests to happen."
There were 1116 dog attacks reported to NSW councils between October and December 2025, with 77 resulting in hospitalisation.
The Office of Local Government is reviewing the Companion Animals Act to deal with the growing number of lost, abandoned and neglected animals across the state.
The review will act on the recommendation of recent coronial inquiries into fatal dog attacks in NSW.
A spokeswoman for Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig said the state government is considering a range of measures around owner education, licensing and stronger penalties in the event of dog attacks.
"Annalyse's death was tragic and our thoughts are with her family and all those affected by it," the spokeswoman said.
"This [review] includes careful consideration of the findings from the deputy state coroner's four coronial inquests into four fatal dog attacks alongside feedback from more than 3600 community, councils, veterinations, animal welfare groups and industry representatives.
"The minister is meeting with Ms Benson to consider her views as part of his assessment of the proposed reforms to the Act."
Ms Benson said three out of the four inquests mention dog owner licensing.
"People get a little bit scared when they hear this, but it's honestly about educating owners before they get their hands on a dog," she said.
"It's not about fees, it's not about making it less obtainable for people to get a dog, it's knowing what you're getting, how you're going to maintain the dog and keep the dog happy and healthy."
Ms Benson will be joined at the meeting with Mr Hoenig by representatives from Dog Force Australia, the country's leading provider of canine detection, protection and training services.
She is hopeful her experience and their knowledge will help achieve meaningful reform.
