Ban on popular dog breed proposed
Queensland is proposing tougher laws in order to bring down the number of dog attacks in the state.
These laws include increased jail time for owners after dog attacks, the potential banning of certain breeds and for all dogs to be “effectively controlled” in public.
The Palaszczuk government released a discussion paper on Sunday outlining the options as well as a survey asking Queenslanders to have their say about the issue before it puts together the legislation.
A series of dog attacks plagued the state in April, with three children suffering significant injuries in separate incidents that included multiple dogs.
The top consideration for the paper is whether Queensland should ban animals from the Commonwealth’s restricted breed list, making owning them in any capacity illegal.
Restricted dog breeds include the pit bull terrier, dogo argentino, japanese tosa, fila brasilerio and the presa canario.
Currently, those who wish to own these breeds must apply for a permit, but that will be stripped away if these laws are brought into place.
The discussion paper says that any changes would include a “grandfather clause” that would allow those with a current permit to keep their pet.
The government has also proposed including imprisonment as a maximum penalty for more serious attacks.
Currently, if an attack causes death or grievous bodily harm to a person, the owner could be fined up to $43,125 but would not face jail time.
“It is proposed to introduce a new criminal offence in the Act that captures conduct of an owner, or responsible person for a dog, who fails to take reasonable steps to effectively control their dog if the dog causes bodily harm, grievous bodily harm or death to a person,” the report reads.
“Including a proposed new offence for the most serious dog attacks would send a clear message to owners and people responsible for dogs that failure to take reasonable steps to protect people in the community from harm from serious dog attacks will not be tolerated.”
The move would also bring the state in line with laws in NSW, Tasmania, the ACT, Victoria and Western Australia.
In NSW, an owner who encourages a dangerous dog to attack another person faces up to five years in prison.
Another proposal is to put in place a new requirement for dogs to be “effectively controlled” in public, which would ban off-leash dog walking.
“Effective control could be defined to include a person who is physically able to control the animal, it is on an appropriate leash and supervised or in a temporary enclosure adequate to contain the animal,” the paper reads.
On-the-spot fines would be handed out for owners who did not control their dogs in public and exceptions would be made for designated off-leash areas.
Councils are calling for some breeds to be banned and for tougher restrictions according to Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Alison Smith.
“Ratepayers would be alarmed to know that Queensland councils are being forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees because irresponsible owners are using the courts to drag out the fate of these dangerous animals after their dog has been impounded and a destruction order made,” she said.
“For too long, irresponsible dog owners have been able to hold the community and councils to ransom. That needs to change.”
Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner urged Queenslanders to participate in the survey in order to “have their say” on the proposed reforms.
“Community feedback on this discussion paper will be vital in drafting new legislation,” he said.
“It is so important that we get this right to make sure any new laws meet community expectations.
