RSPCA Quits Dangerous Dogs Panel Over Deed not Breed Argument
Published on May 16, 2008 by Freelance Contributors · 4 CommentsThe RSPCA in Australia has left a ‘restricted breed panel’ having become frustrated at its administration.
The organisation is calling for sweeping reforms amidst revelations that the dangerous dog register – which lists 755 dogs – has seen 25 council not report a single dangerous dog.
Australia, like the UK, employs a breed specific legislation policy, carrying bans for breed types such as the American pit bull, Japanese Tosa and Prea Canario.
Again, like the UK, Australian officials can order a dog be destroyed if it is deemed to be one of the banned ‘type’ regardless of whether the dog has actually committed any offence or acted dangerously.
Owners of dogs deemed to be of ‘type’ may contest the decision. Of 34 cases contested, the panel has overturned 23 decisions. It is claimed that the RSPCA’s representatives have quit the panel.
RSPCA president Hugh Wirth called for immediate reform. “Dogs Victoria don’t believe in restricting any dog, fundamentally,” he said.
Dogs Victoria president Peter Frost:. “It’s hard for council officers to make a decision on the spur of the moment because (identifying breeds) is a difficult thing. It’s the deed not the breed,” he said.Animal Welfare Bureau director Steve Tate: “We’re operating the panel according to the administrative requirements. Breed identification is very difficult.”
Mr Tate said he was receptive to the idea of adopting genetic breed tests when the technology was available.
“It’s got hope for the future as a way to sort out these sorts of problems,” he said.
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Nice one Australian RSPCA, just need the UK branch to have the same courage and ditch their partnership working with various police forces and helping to seize dogs using BSL as the excuse to ‘obey orders’
[quote]Mr Tate said he was receptive to the idea of adopting genetic breed tests when the technology was available.
“It’s got hope for the future as a way to sort out these sorts of problems,” he said.[/quote]
a better solution would be changing the laws to help teach people how to train dogs to behave appropriatly ie. Pet Owners Parliment’s alternative, the Pet Owners Suitability Test information found at http://www.dogownershiptest.co.uk/
isnt the aussie law the same as in the uk, but with presas added to the list?
dont greyhounds have to be muzzled there aswell?
Emm
Each state has their own law.
The Victoria State law in broad terms seems to be similar to ours.
I think from reading the above item and reading the Victoria local papers report, it seems to be more of a case that the Victoria RSPCA have left the panel because they feel the Local Authorities are not doing enough or being strict enough in enforcing the Dog Legislation, rather than leaving in protest at Breed Specific Legislation.