Forums » Breeds
Pit bull dog debate grows
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Ayen Chol, 4, died after a neighbour's pit bull mastiff entered her home in Melbourne's west and attacked her last Wednesday. The Victorian Government plans to change the Crimes Act allowing owners to be held criminally responsible for their dog's behaviour. Add your voice to the debate here.
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Here's what Dogs Victoria had to say:
DOGS Victoria is shocked and saddened to hear about the tragic dog attack that resulted in the death of a child. It is so important to educate dog owners about their responsibility not only to their own family but to their community.
It is the belief of the organisation that the answer to put an end to dog-related incidents is education. Dog owners need to be educated as does every person who comes into contact with a dog.
“Every dog benefits from consistent and positive obedience training. Even small dogs can bite,” says DOGS Victoria President, Peter Frost. “However, the larger and stronger the dog, the more important it is for it to be well socialised.”
“DOGS Victoria does not believe in judging a dog based on its breed alone. However, just as when an individual person commits a crime and goes to jail, when an individual dog displays aggressive behaviour it should be dealt with immediately,” explains Mr Frost.
“Our organisation’s responsible breeders take into account not only a dog’s physical appearance, but genetic health as well as temperament. If a dog is not ideal in all of these categories, it should not be bred with and should be desexed to prevent any accidental breeding.”
Before purchasing or adopting a dog, you should ask yourself if you can meet the dog’s needs. This includes not only food, water, shelter and love, but also appropriate training and fencing. If you can’t commit to the requirements of a particular breed or type of dog, then consider a different one. -
Dog owners should be educated about how to train and socialise their dogs and children and families should be taught how to interact safely with dogs. Well done to Delta Dog Safe, www.deltadogsafesa.org.au we need this to be compulsory in schools. Banning the breed is not the solution, its like saying we must ban a certain type of car because of road deaths. Its the person in control (or not in control when they should be), but then a person who hasn't registered their dog probably wouldn't take heed to keep others safe around their dog anyway. I think people may be more cautious if they are held accountable, and it may even deter people who don't try hard enough to stop their dogs from roaming too. -
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The Herald Sun reported today that Australia's peak vet association has raised fears hundreds of dogs could be euthanised mistakenly under the Victorian Government's new dog laws, saying vets will not be able to provide breed certificates to pit bull look-a-likes.
It's a valid point, but what's the answer? -
I wonder if this law would even withstand a moment's scrutiny by the higher courts? If a council officer destroys my property, but has no proof that the dog was a pit bull - and can not obtain any scientific proof, then how can this action be legal? I can't wait til the government has yet more egg on their faces when the high court rules against them! -
I agree, some breeds and crossbreeds may not be the best. I find 99 times out of a 100 it is the owner that is the problem and it is the animal that has to pay the greatest price. Keep the dog and get rid of the owner. My last dog was a cattle dog / bull terrier cross and everybody told me to get rid of him as this was a bad mix. He was the most faithfull and loving dog i had owned till then and he loved kids. It is all in the teaching. -
This is disgusting what our council is putting the dogs through, seriously i just cant believe people cant open their eyes and know that its the owners not the dog, is they made a law that "owners responsible for dog attacks will be prosecuted" i reckon the war with be over with pitbulls, shepards etc
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Personally I find small dogs can be very agressive if not more so but may not have the ability to do as much damage & are easier for owners to control. My staffy is almost 30kgs now & if he gets loose he has the ability to lick you to death but thats about how violent he will get unless provoked. Show me a bad pet & Ill show you a bad owner. -
FishoStu said:
Personally I find small dogs can be very agressive if not more so but may not have the ability to do as much damage & are easier for owners to control. My staffy is almost 30kgs now & if he gets loose he has the ability to lick you to death but thats about how violent he will get unless provoked. Show me a bad pet & Ill show you a bad owner.Agreed.
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