Pet owners panicked by new dog laws

30 Aug 2011, 4:22 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Pit bulls are often crossed with other breeds in order to dodge legislation. (AAP)

Pit bulls are often crossed with other breeds in order to dodge legislation. (AAP)

The RSPCA has received dozens of calls from frightened pet owners who fear their dogs will be mistakenly killed under the Victorian government's new law.

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The RSPCA has received dozens of calls from frightened pet owners who fear their dogs will be mistakenly killed under the Victorian government's new law.

The government will on Tuesday introduce the law ending the amnesty on registering restricted dog breeds following the death of four-year-old Ayen Chol, who was mauled to death by a neighbour's pit bull mastiff in her home two weeks ago at St Albans.

The legislation will also make pit bull crosses a restricted breed. Under the new rules, any pit bulls not registered after August 29 can be destroyed.

A standard for identifying pit bull terriers will also be released to prevent dogs escaping because of uncertainty over their breed.

RSPCA Victoria chief executive Maria Mercurio said that while she welcomed the government's move to protect the community from dangerous dogs, it was extremely difficult to identify dog breeds by sight and mistakes could be made.

"It's a very dangerous way to be going about this," she told AAP.

"Even so-called experts have difficulty determining exact breeds, particularly with cross breeds.

"Unless you do DNA testing, even then it's very difficult if you have a number of breeds that have been crossed." She said the organisation had received dozens of calls from worried pet owners.

"People are frightened that their dogs will be mistaken for a pit bull or for a dangerous breed when in fact they're not," she said. Ms Mercurio said there should be incentives such as registration discounts for people who train and socialise their dogs.

"While legislation is important and we support the government in that, we would like to see an equal emphasis on educating our community so that we have good, responsible pet owners," she said.

A dangerous dog hotline has opened for people to report dogs they believe to be restricted.

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double standards

Michael - from Brisbane, 7 months ago

If dogs are going to be treated like cars under these new laws. Then dogs should be treat like car all the way through the law, not just when they are on the offending end. The news on this law says owners of dog that kill or hurt someone would be charged like a driver that kills or hurt someone in a car. How come when you steal a car and burn it you go to jail, but when you steal a dog and burn it you get a fine of maybe 5000 dollars and a good behavior agreement. What's going on Australia?

Pitbulls

Sowhat - from Kyoto, 9 months ago

I have researched and read many books about dogs and I have had a lot of breeds I love and some I am like, man you would not like to meet that dog face to face;), but the Pit bull is a tricky one. Everyone thinks that this breed is vicious and crazy, I mean, they were bred to be guards and fighting dogs but they can be very loving and caring towards children, my guess is that who ever owned that dog trained it to be vicious, and attack anyone or anything......

My Pitt Bull x American Bulldog

Erin - from Latrobe Valley, 9 months ago

I rescued a pittbull X American Bulldog when she was 7 months old. She is now 1 year old - her name is Tilly. Tilly was beaten as a pup, and as a result shys away from any kind of confrontation. I am quite aware of her breeding, so I am raising her with a King Charles Cavalier, and those 2 are peas and carrots. Tilly thinks she is a poodle, as she is being raised as one. I DO NOT condone owners who promote agression in dogs. BEHIND EVERY "DANGEROUS DOG" is an idiot owner.

educate yourself

Geisha - from sinshine coast, 9 months ago

the pitt bull was breed to protect its master from bulls in the bull pitt, it was breed to show zero agression towards humans AND it is rated only second to the labrador for being most tolerent to having its eyes, ears and tail pulled befor it retaliates, many pitt bull types who have been saved from the dog fighting scene later become rehabilitation dogs so even after a horrific experience they display a calm nature. Cesar millan dog whisperer used a pitt bull to calm aggressive dogs.

Breed Name Incorrect

Simon - from Harris, 9 months ago

I see the article refers to a Pit Bull Mastiff, this is incorrect as the breed is actually a Pit Bull Terrier. Please do not confuse the breeds The Pit Bull Terrier was bred as a fighting dog, the docile Bull / English / Neapolitan Mastiff bears no resemblence in looks or temperament and was bred many years beforehand as a working hound. The two breeds have nothing in common with one another.

Hi Simon.

The dog that attacked Ayen Chol was a pit bull-mastiff cross, that's what the article refers to (not the breed itself - just this particular dog).

Thanks for participating on this message board!

SBS Moderator

register your dog

Jo - from Burwood, 9 months ago

Seriously, I don't understand the panic. The powers only relate to dealing with unregistered dogs. All dogs over 3 months are supposed to be registered. If you are a responsible animal owner and register your pet with your council then you have nothing to fear.

Mr

James - from Dubbo, 9 months ago

I have a Pitt-Bull Sharpei cross that I show care, kindness and love. I get those same traits back. It's humans we should be concerned about, not dogs. Some animals have been mistreated and need to be put down. The owners of those mistreated dogs should be banned from animal ownership, with strict sentences for breaking the ban.

Gaol sentences

Robyne - from North Hobart, 9 months ago

I am so sick of hearing stories of people and children mauled and killed by vicious dog breeds. Just putting the dog down does not deter the types of moronic people who own these dogs. These people need to spend a bit of time in gaol to scare them off owning these dogs. Owning vicious dog breeds, without a commercial licence, need to be illegal.

David

David - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

From what I read on the breed, Pit Bulls are bred for a statistically fatal hold and shake bite which improved their success in dog fighting. The Pit Bull has a scissor bite, and given that their trait is not to merely nip or establish a pack order by contest for dominance but to simply kill they are never going to 'fit' a safe breed category. This is not a socially amenable breed trait and the reasons anyone should consider owning a specimen of the breed for a suburban pet is questionable.

Mr

Brett - from Gordon, 9 months ago

It would be very easy to control the dangerous dog issues which appear to repeat themselves too often. The government (s) should legislate that every dog should have third party insurance. This will allow freedom of choice - yet allow market conditions and the dogs breed to dictate the cost of owning every breed. I am sure over time the breeds which create problems will become less and less.

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