Tempus Fugit

From the Wagga council website: There are six designated off leash areas around Wagga Wagga, including an enclosed agility track. These are the only areas dogs are allowed off leash in public. Existing fenced dog run area located at Narrung Street on the southern Boundary of the Wiradjuri Golf Centre driving range. Eastern side of Wilks Park North Wagga Wagga, area bounded by south of Parken Pregon Lagoon - east of Hampden Avenue and north of Central Island Road. Boat Club Reserve Lake Albert, between Plumpton Road and Boat Club Carpark on the southern side of Nelson Road. Willans Hill, area bounded by east of Captain Cook Drive - south of Beauty Point Avenue and all of Willans Hill Reserve south of Leavenworth Drive. O'Halloran Agility Park. Forest Hill; The area at the intersection of Cypress St & Kurrajong Ave & adjoining the western side of Wagga Wagga RAAF base. West of Wagga, on the northside of the Sturt highway adjacent to a rest area is the Berryjerry State Forest. At Hay,off the Sturt Highway heading west, before the roundabout, turning right at Shiel St leads to a regional park beside the river, (although last Christmas it was under water with lots of mozzies). South of Balranald, if you keep an eye out, there are some areas where there is a wide reserve (stock route?) between the highway and farm gate.

If you are willing to buy from overseas, Dog sport gearand All K9 have harnesses with handle and you can also get 'in training' and 'do not pet' patches that velcro onto the harness.

If you want to read more on the incident that is the subject of this thread google on 500只狗狗屠刀下的救助 . The website at news has some more videos and pics of the incident.

If you want to know more about chinese meat dog farming google on the chinese characters 肉狗 (edible dogs). A number of meat dog farms have websites: Fankuai Yalongquan Henan Xiang Oron Yongxing Beacon Bishan

For me the issue is not so much about pig hunting but firearm safety. As a child I used to go bushwalking with my dog along fire trails in what is now the Kosciusko National Park. As I grew up, more and more national parks were created. Since national parks are closed to domestic dogs that leaves state forests where one can enjoy bushwalking with one's dog(s). (Frankly I dispute Gwenneth1's assertion that 'state forests are locked up from public access'. I think the only people who would want to promote that idea are those that use the forests for their cannabis plantations). However since Morris Iemma & Co opened up state forests for unrestricted hunting in order to kiss the backsides of the Shooters Party MPs for their electoral preferences and votes in the Legislative Council, (as Curlybert mentions), when going into a forest I am apprehensive about either my dog or I being fired at by a bullet from a high-powered hunting rifle or even an arrow, thereby getting into a "Deliverance" style kill or be killed situation, since you wouldn't know whether the shot was accidental or deliberate. Obviously projectile weapons must be dangerous since services such as the military and police have very strict rules about handling weapons and civilians are not allowed to go wandering around firing ranges, which are delineated by flags and warning signs. On private properties, no farmer would want hunters coming onto their land unannounced without agreeing with the farmer where and where not to hunt, yet in state forests there is apparently open slather. Given that state forests are supposed to be a primarily a resource for timber and secondly a recreational facility for all citizens, then for safety's sake hunting with projectile weapons should be restricted to specific periods when the forest is closed to the general public with warning signs and flags erected, as for a shooting range. As to the purpose of the hunt, Sandra777 said "feral pigs should be exterminated". Tim's Mum said "how can you support their (wild pigs) continued existence as a feral animal that.......has no place here in Australia" Well, supporting the continued existence of exotic feral animals is precisely what the 'conservation hunting' mentioned by Katrina M is about. The aim of 'conservation hunting' is not to eradicate a species, but to maintain a healthy controlled population for sport hunting, in the absence of natural predators, e.g. in Australia we don't have wolf packs to control the wild deer. (In America they killed the wolves as well in order to provide enough deer for hunters to kill). Anyone who thinks sport conservation hunting is going to eradicate feral pigs, deer etc is in cloud cuckoo land. "Conservation hunting" continues the work of the 19th century Acclimatization and Game Societies mentioned by Eric Rolls in his 1969 book on the history of exotic feral animals in Australia, "They All Ran Wild" (Angus & Robertson). Sure, I would not like myself or my dogs attacked by a wild pig in a state forest either but: a) let us have hunting and firearm safety policies, b) if feral pigs have no place in Australia, let us hunt to eradicate, not conserve.

Could the dog have been a blond Hovawart rather than a goldie? The two breeds look similar.

I think raising the issue of a dog's health is a red herring as far as this thread is concerned. In regard to behavioural assessment would the present Protocol for assessing aggression in dogs by veterinarians on behalf of animal welfare groups apply? In respect of imported ova/ semen, how would you get the sires/ dams tested to this standard? Is any dog or their sire/ dam with proven ability (titles) in dog sport (Schutzhund, French Ring etc) having a protection component going to be regarded as dangerous, (based on existing Victorian law)? What about livestock guarding breeds?

Wait a moment - are we going off half cocked? According to this AVA web page we are talking about an AVA policy that was ratified by the AVA in January 1997? Is this policy something the facists in the Urban Animal Management movement (an unholy alliance of vets and dog catchers) are now trying to push through the Federal Minister for Ag, Fish & Forestry or is the 1st post a furphy?

If I understand the policy correctly, assessment would not only apply to a dog/ puppy being imported, but also to the foreign sire/dam? Such standards should also apply to any genetic material imported with assessment of temperament of donors of semen, ova or embryos. Given the anti-schutzhund law in Victoria, would the proposed AVA policy mean that any imported puppy or puppy born locally from the semen/ ova of a dog/ bitch with a Sch title would automatically be banned or import restricted? If exceptions are to be made, e.g. for guard dogs, defence dogs and drug detecting dogs, then special conditions should apply to the release of those animals into Australian territories and these animals should be identified as dangerous individuals, in keeping with local state or territory laws. I never realised drug sniffing dogs were aggressive.

I was bemused by the scene where the litle girl eats a pack of potato crisps next to the dingo.

Try doing a search on this forum as the topic of containment systems has been discussed previously. I believe the weight recommendation is because the stim from most containment systems is a 'one size fits all' so when the dog goes up to the fence it gets the same level stim irrespective of whether it is a big dog or small. For a dog under 5 kg the stim therefore would generally be considered too strong. Also you should never leave an e-collar on a dog for longer than 10 hours max, otherwise you will get necrosis of the skin under the electrodes - probably shorter in a hot humid environment. For a bark collar, a citronella spray collar that works on vibration may be better if it has to be left on for long periods. An alternative is an electric fence type system called a 'Pingg String'. Try this site: Sureguard

I recently discovered that in NSW, along the Murray and Murrubidgee rivers, many former state forests, where one could take dogs, have been turned into either 'National Parks' or 'Regional Parks'. While both are administered by NSW National Parks, you can still take dogs into a 'Regional Park', which incidentally, are also free from hunters and shooters.

Don't forget the risk to the dog from an air bag going off in a minor collision, especially in the front passenger seat. Such air bags are designed to protect adult humans only.

Not so in the USA, where there is now a website dedicated to MWD adoptions. To the best of my knowlege the change in policy came about after a long campaign following the withdrawal of US forces at the end of the Vietnam War, when of roughly 3000 dogs sent to Vietnam, only about one tenth were ever repatriated. There was also an outcry over the practice of using retired MWDs for training US army medics. The dogs would be aneasthetised, hung in a sling and shot, then used to train the medics in treating gunshot wounds. (I think nowadays they use sheep or pigs). If you search the web, there are a number of sites related to MWDs.

Same sort of parents that allow their kids to particicipate in calf riding at rodeos.

Are you referring more to these races:

An observation I would like to make is that if, as a society, we cannot prevent motor vehicles, which are mere machines, unable to move without a human controlling them, from killing and injuring hundreds of people each year, then we are not as a society, easily going to prevent 'accidents' with an animal that is a predatory carnivore, with a mind of its own thereby able to function autonomously.

I am pretty certain these are illegal in NSW. Section 16 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 No 200 states it quite clearly: Schedule 1 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (General) Regulation 2006 list the devices that are illegal. They include: However, I am sure a lot of people still use them in NSW. I am not personally against them. But I wouldn't use them if they are illegal. Odin-Genie has not quoted the full text of Shedule 1, Whereas the remote control e-collars are therefore illegal in NSW, the ones used for invisible fence collars are allowed under Schedule 1. Collars are available that can be used with both a hand-held remote control and buried wire. I am not sure of the legal status of these.

Another hazard for dogs: SMH story

To protect our beaches we should eliminate all marine life, especially whales. Whales are much bigger than dogs and with bans on whaling their population is increasing annuaally. Can you imagine the amount of poo that emanates from a pod of whales? Then we need to get rid of seals, fish, seagulls etc, all of which crap in the ocean. On land we need to get rid of all feral animals, especially birds, which crap wherever feel like - I have seen sports grounds where kids play covered in bird droppings.

I would have thought a PD's main value is to find a hidden suspect or track/ catch a fleeing one. For close in work police should be able to use Tasers if deemed appropriate instead of firearms. There also seems to be quite a few publically acessible websites out there showing how to overpower and kill an attacking dog such as a PD or MWD. You wouldn't know whether the person you are sending the dog against has studied these or not until it is too late.

They are also used by the Chinese for: 1. Dog fighting 2. Meat dogs, generally crossed with other breeds, eg german shepherd, to produce a more docile fast growing puppy with plenty of meat eg Meat dog breeding farm. China didn't invade Tibet just because the CIA had planted communications listening devices all along the Himalayas.

I agree with Ravyk. A soft muzzle has the front open so the dog could still nibble on bait - unless it is so tight the dog will have difficulty panting. Personally for inland use I prefer a wire basket muzzle, while for the beach I use a plastic greyhound kennel muzzle - there is less to rust and they are reasonably sturdy. Have a look at this Austrian site - customer photos show a variety of breeds other than sighthounds eg aussie shepherds, BCs, huskies etc wearing greyhound muzzles. Allowing to dog to pant and drink while muzzled was my key consideration. I allow my dog to sleep in the tent at night at the beach so barking doesn't become an issue. If you search, there are a number of videos you can download from the web on the subject of 'Training a dog to wear a muzzle' (apart from attack training). As to tethers, I would only use the corkscrew type in firm ground. In my opinion they are too short to hold a large dog in sand. For sand, I found the 'Detangler' stake e.g. from 'The Vet Shed' to hold very well - I simply bashed it into the sand with a lump of driftwood. Later I just pulled it straight up and out.

Here is the NSW law: PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 1979 - SECT 16 Certain electrical devices not to be used upon animals 16 Certain electrical devices not to be used upon animals (1) In this section: "electrical device" means a device of a type prescribed by the regulations. "sell" includes: (a) auction or exchange, (b) offer, expose, supply or receive for sale, and © send, forward or deliver for sale or on sale. (2) A person shall not: (a) use an electrical device upon an animal, (b) sell any electrical device, or © have in his or her possession or custody any electrical device. Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual. (3) Nothing in subsection (2) prevents a person from: (a) using an electrical device upon an animal belonging to a prescribed species, or (b) selling or having in his or her possession or custody an electrical device for use upon an animal belonging to a prescribed species. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (GENERAL) REGULATION 2006 - REG 10 Prescribed types of electrical devices and prescribed species 10 Prescribed types of electrical devices and prescribed species For the purposes of the definition of "electrical device" in section 16 (1) of the Act, a type of device listed in Column 1 of Schedule 1 is a prescribed type of electrical device unless it is used for a purpose or in circumstances specified in Column 2 of that Schedule. I can't get the table below to format as a table so here is a link Column 1 Column 2 Type of device Purpose or circumstance Electro-immobiliser Restraining cattle, but only if used by a veterinary practitioner for purposes other than as an alternative to analgesia or anaesthesia Electric stock prod Driving, herding, mustering or controlling weaned cattle or sheep Controlling horses being used in a rodeo, but only for the purpose of getting a horse that has stalled in the chute to exit the chute and not if used on the horse once it has started to exit the chute Loading or unloading weaned pigs onto or from a vehicle for transportation purposes Electric fence Confining, controlling or protecting animals (except dogs and cats) Electro-ejaculator Collecting semen from conscious cattle or sheep Collecting semen from animals that have been tranquillised and administered with an analgesic or animals that have been anaesthetised Electric stock grid Confining stock animals (except poultry) Electric fightback lure Training coursing dogs Electro-fishing device Catching fish species under licence, permit or authority under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 or in accordance with the Animal Research Act 1985 The device sold under the name Pingg String (including any similar device delivering an electric shock of no greater intensity or duration than a Pingg String) Confining dogs or cats, but only if used inside a fence through which dogs or cats cannot pass and that is not less than 1.5 metres high Canine invisible boundary Confining dogs, but only if used inside a fence through which dogs cannot pass and that is not less than 1.5 metres high Electronic bird deterrent device Deterring birds from roosting on building ledges and other external building surfaces Any other device producing an electrical discharge that is used in such a way that the animal in relation to which it is being used cannot move away from the device Incidentally the Austlii web site has links to all state's laws. Just search on 'dogs' 'animals' 'cruelty' etc.

In Germany, BSL varies from state to state, just as in Australia. There are also federal government import restrictions. Information on import restrictions are on German customs website You may be able to find some more info using the links from here:Anglo info website for Berlin You could also try Googling on 'Kampfhunde' (the german word for fighting dogs). For example there is a Wikpedia site that lists BSL. It is in German but you can use Google's 'Translate' facility to tranlate the page from German to (poor) English.