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Rspca Doing A Backflip On Bsl


wagsalot
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Not sure if ive been under a rock...but I am just watching Channel 7 news who just said the RSPCA wants to reverse the ban on pit bulls as its not working, then they had a guy from the RSPCA saying ban the deed not the breed, along with some from the VCA saying the same thing.

From what I saw, the story seemed quite positive.

Edited by wagsalot
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I was talking to the RSPCA media head the other ay ( WA) its amazing what their views are compared to what some ( IE on DOL) purport as what the RSPCA states is the truth, many factors the RSPCA state are not what is generally thought.

My opinion is ask the RSPCA yourself that way you get the truth straight from the horses mouth!

J

Either backflip, or just lipservice for the popular opinion that BSL dosnt ever work out like they were told from the get go.

The RSPCA policy still stands so i dont think the tumble mats getting a backflip workout.

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actually now you mention it some time ago on sunrise they had a fellow talking im not sure if he was rspca or not but he was supportive of deed not breed and behaviour rather than BSL, sucks i cant remember anymore about it

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I am sure there is a long way for all dog sides to go till all can work to make a better future for dogs, owners and all involved without all the political rubbish!

One day we all hope

J

I think it’s great if they have changed their ways. But I find it hard to forgive or trust one who has turned their back on us for so long
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I was talking to the RSPCA media head the other ay ( WA) its amazing what their views are compared to what some ( IE on DOL) purport as what the RSPCA states is the truth, many factors the RSPCA state are not what is generally thought.

My opinion is ask the RSPCA yourself that way you get the truth straight from the horses mouth!

J

Either backflip, or just lipservice for the popular opinion that BSL dosnt ever work out like they were told from the get go.

The RSPCA policy still stands so i dont think the tumble mats getting a backflip workout.

Here is what the RSPCA thinks, straight from the horses mouth.

RSPCA says Australia no country for pit bulls

AAP

October 19, 2009 08:55am

THE RSPCA's Victorian president has renewed calls for American pit bull terriers to be bred out of Australia after a vicious attack in Melbourne left a man in hospital and two dogs dead.

Dr Hugh Wirth said the dogs were a menace and not suitable as pets for anyone.

In the latest attack, police and paramedics were called to Arundel Ave in Reservoir, in Melbourne's north, where a roaming pit bull attacked a man walking his two small dogs about 7.20pm (AEDT) yesterday.

The pit bull killed one of the smaller dogs and injured the other, then clamped down on the man's hand when he tried to intervene.

The dog's jaw remained locked on the man's hand for more than 20 minutes.

The dog wasn't shot but paramedics had to use "their resources'' to put it down.

Dr Wirth said that pit bull terriers should never have been introduced on to Australian shores.

"They are time bombs waiting for the right circumstances,'' Dr Wirth said.

"The American pit bull terrier is lethal because it was a breed that was developed purely for dog fighting, in other words killing the opposition.

"They should never have been allowed into the country. They are an absolute menace.

"What that dog did to that gentleman is no surprise.

"There is no reason at all for the dog in the country.

"They are not suitable pets for anybody.''

Dr Wirth said local councils were not doing enough to enforce strict laws on pit bull terriers.

Restrictions for owners include confining the dogs to their property, ensuring the property is escape-proof, while a signpost warning of the dog's existence must be displayed outside the property.

The dog must also be desexed, with the RSPCA hopeful this will eventually wipe out the breed.

"While the dog breed is allowed to remain in the country, unless the law is strictly enforced, we are going to see more and more and more of these attacks,'' Dr Wirth said.

The latest attack comes after a toddler was scarred for life when she was attacked by a pit bull in Melbourne's west earlier this year.

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http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-...91021-h75n.html

The owner, not the dog, is the issue

LYNNE BRADSHAW

October 21, 2009 - 1:45PM

Comments 16

What has been largely missing from the pit bull debate of the past few days is that dogs that attack people have owners. To focus our attention on the breed of the dog is to abdicate our responsibility to be accountable for the behaviour of our pets. The recent case in Victoria occurred because a dog owner allowed a poorly trained and poorly socialised dog to roam freely in a public place. So let's bring this issue back to where it started, with the owner of the dog. Only then will we get close to addressing the root of the problem.

We know that a dog's tendency to bite is the product of at least five factors: the dog's genetic predisposition to aggression; early socialisation to humans; its training or mistraining; the quality of its care and supervision; and the behaviour of the victim. Genetics is only one of these factors. In the wrong circumstances, any dog, regardless of size, breed or mixture of breeds can be dangerous. The RSPCA believes that deeming a dog as "dangerous" should therefore be done on the basis of its behaviour, not its breed.

In fact, studies have found that dog breeds subject to breed bans are no more likely to attack or cause more serious injuries than any other similarly sized dog. While there is some evidence that certain breeds may be genetically predisposed to aggressive behaviour, most research concludes that breed-specific legislation is unlikely to have a significant impact on the frequency of dog bites. Recent experience both here and overseas has also shown us that it is virtually impossible to effectively enforce such legislation.

It doesn't make a good headline, but at the heart of this issue is responsible pet ownership. The RSPCA firmly believes that dog-bite prevention strategies should focus on public education and training of both dogs and owners. That's why our approach centres on educating pet owners, educating the public, identifying problem behaviours early, encouraging the selection of dogs with appropriate behavioural characteristics, and pushing for better control and management programs for those dogs that are declared to be menacing or dangerous.

None of these strategies works without the others: without proper management programs by local governments, they all fall over. It's time for local councils to crack down on the owners of unregistered dogs and dogs that are known to be a nuisance or danger in their community. Councils should be much more proactive in dog control for all dogs, be they mixed breeds, pure breeds or restricted breeds. You shouldn't be allowed to breed a dog without a licence and breeding standards should be properly regulated.

Dogs are a treasured part of Australian, society but the reality is that as long as we share our lives with them, dog bites will be a risk. However, there is much we can do to reduce that risk. Firstly, never leave young children unattended with dogs, even a trusted family pet. Children are unpredictable and can often display what a dog perceives as threatening behaviour. Always ensure your dog is properly confined in your house or yard and under effective control when walking. Make sure your dog receives proper training and socialisation with other dogs and people from an early age, and if your dog does display aggressive or worrying behaviour, speak to your vet or your local RSPCA about a behavioural assessment. And lastly, if you're thinking of adopting a dog, make sure you research your options thoroughly to ensure you choose the best pet for your family situation and lifestyle.

Ultimately, the responsibility of a dog will always rest with the owner. It's convenient to blame the dog when things go wrong, but to ignore the human factor is a paltry attempt to address the issue from the wrong end. Dog attacks are a people problem. We must do far more to promote responsible pet ownership if we are going to reduce the incidence of dog bites in the future.

Lynne Bradshaw is national president of the RSPCA Australia.

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i think you will find that it would vary from state to state, Hugh is just the president in victoria, not the entire country.

i am not sure who the current rspca pres is in nsw , but i can recall a while ago that he owned an apbt, and was very anti bsl.

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I was going to post that Hugh Wirth's opinions did not reflect those of many RSPCA CEO's.

Lynne Bradshaw's letter is very encouraging. Now they just have to muzzle Hugh. :thumbsup:

maybe we can issue an NOI and get him to wear a pretty bright collar too when out in public :laugh:

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I'd say he's been encouranged, he had that live chat feed and quite a few mentions in all the stories that I read.

How can they have two totally different stances on the matter?

Because the RSPCA is organised on State lines but has a Federal Executive. The states are relatively autonomous.

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Hi,

I've posted this on a new thread, but I thought I would mention it here, too.

I've started a petition, calling for RSPCA Australia and state and territory lawmakers to end BSL and replace it with dog legislation that focuses on owner accountability, not breed. You can view the petition below, and if you agree, please sign and pass it on:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/end-BSL-in-Australia

Thanks!

Kirsten

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