30 Days Amnesty
Melbourne, AU - In the wake of a little girl brutally killed by a pit bull-mix in a "home-invasion" attack, the Baillieu Government is rushing new laws through Parliament to arm council officers with the power to seize and destroy unregistered restricted dog breeds.1 Prior to this, crosses of restricted breeds could escape inclusion on the dangerous dogs register. Owners of pit bull crosses have one month to register their dogs or face the animal's seizure and destruction.
On August 17, Ayen Chol was ripped from her mother's grasp by a pit bull cross that entered into the home where her family was staying.
The Government also created a Dangerous Dog Hotline (operational seven days a week) so that members of the public can notify council officials about restricted dog breeds living in their neighborhoods. Officials are also considering stronger penalties for owners of restricted breeds who are not in compliance with state law. The new penalties would require jail time, instead of the $4500 fine that was issued to the owner of the pit bull cross that killed Ayen.
A new set of identification guidelines spelling out exactly what is regarded as a pit bull or pit bull cross will stop owners claiming their dogs belong to different breeds.
An amnesty allowing pit bull and restricted dog owners to notify authorities of their pets will end on September 30.
From that day, dog inspectors will have the authority to destroy any unregistered dog fitting the pit bull description.
From today members of the public can "dob in a dangerous dog" through a $100,000 hotline to help council officers identify potential dangers hidden in their neighbourhoods. (Grant McArthur and Amelia Harris, Herald Sun)
Kudos on the crackdown Baillieu Government!
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Separately, there has been another fatal pit bull mauling in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago since the murder of Denise Rackal in May (See related articles below). Due to intense lobbying pressure by animal welfare groups it is anticipated that no actions will be taken by government officials.1Restricted dog breeds must be microchipped, sterilized, kept in a secure yard and muzzled and leashed when in public. Restricted breeds include: dogo argentina, japanese tosa, fila brasilia and pit bull terriers.
Related articles:
06/01/11: Animal Behaviorist Responds to Statements Following Trinidad Fatal Pit Bull Attack
05/11/11: Family of Mauling Death Victim Awaits Apology from Dogs' Owner
02/06/09: Ecuador Joins International Trend: Bans Pit Bulls and Rottweilers as Pets
Photo: Daily Mail
i think the aussies have finally had enough of the pig dog.
Go Australia go!
Sept 7, 2011 — THE family of the four-year-old savaged to death by a pit bull wants a national ban on dangerous dogs – and the Federal Government has agreed.
Ayen Chol's family told news.com.au they would like to see a blanket ban on savage breeds like the one that killed their daughter last month.
And in a win for parents across the nation, Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland has promised to raise uniform bans with his state and territory counterparts, saying "we should be doing everything we can to prevent these kinds of horrific attacks."
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/federal-government-to-unify-dangerous-dog-laws/story-e6frfkp9-1226132051447#ixzz1XNFhhenU
International Pit Body-Count since last May:
Daniela Herrera
18 months old/Chile
August 30, 2011
Ripped from mother’s arms by friend’s Pit Bull
Jesse Dillion Boise
11 years old/Maraval Trinidad
August 23, 2011
Killed by his own Pit Bull
Ayen Chol
4 years old/ Melbourne, Australia
August 17, 2011
Killed by neighbor’s PitMastiff cross that entered her home
Valerie Stephson
62 years old/Spanish Town Jamaica
July 18, 2011
Killed by relatives Pit Bull
Denise Rackal
46 years old/Chaguanas, Trinindad
May 8, 2011
Killed by pack of Pit Bulls owned by a Policeman
Maurice Sullivan
50 years old/Georgetown, Malaysia
January 2011
Irish citizen, killed by banned Pit Bulls
Maria Sineva
85 years old/Krasnador, Russia
November 1, 2010
Neighbor’s Pit bull/WWII Veteran
3 years old/Tenerife, Spain
June 6, 2010
Father’s dog
Edmund Spain
65 year old/Hattieville, Belize
May 31, 2010
Neighbor’s Pit Bulls escaped fence/ American Citizen
Jane Doe
3 years old/Sachsenburg, Germany
May 22, 2010
Aunt’s four illegal Pit Bulls during visit
Jane Doe
23 months old/Pontevedra, Spain
May 21, 2010
Father’s dog
Jean Paul Massey
4 years old/Merseyside, England
May 11. 2010
Uncle’s illegal Pit Breeding business previously reported to police and ignored.
Jason Waverly
21 years old/Vanderbijipark, South Africa
May 9, 2010
Killed by own dogs breaking up a fight