mikebailey Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 http://goodfordogs.org/blog/2011/09/03/checklist-for-dog-snatchers/ Owners Fear Their Dogs Will Be Wrongly Identified ================================================= An increasing number of Victorians are currently terrified that their family pets will be seized and killed by Council Officers. The Victorian Government wants to rid the state of ‘Pit Bulls’ and has enacted new laws to enable a cull. These laws enable Council officers to seize and kill dogs they believe look like American Pit Bull Terriers. Breed Standards Not Valid For Identifying Breed =============================================== Key to this process is the release by the Minister of the ‘Standard For Restricted Breed Dogs in Victoria’. As we will see below, this is basically a rearrangement and rewording of the official breed standards for the breeds in question. The problem is, breed standards are intended for dog show judges to use when comparing dogs of a known pedigree. Use of a breed standard as a basis for determining the breed of a dog, where thatbreed is not known as a matter of fact and is a question in dispute, is an entirely misconceived use for the document, and is not a process which is capable of producing any objectively valid determination as to whether a dog is of one particular breed or not. VALERIE HODGSON, DINO DA FRE Complainant AND LOGAN CITY COUNCIL That Won’t Stop This Government =============================== The Minister has released an identification standard (download here) created by three individuals who we believe wish to remain anonymous. The work they have produced has not been scientifically validated. No evidence has been provided to allay fears that it will produce false positives. Given its intention is to decide the fates of family pets this is unacceptable. Thinly Veiled Copy of UKC Breed Standard ======================================== Did you ever do a school project by copying text from a single book and simply rearranging sentences and making cosmetic changes to avoid accusations of plagiarism? The authors of our ‘approved standard’ appear to have done just this. The section on American Pit Bull Terriers reads like a thinly veiled reworking of the United Kennel Club’s breed standard for APBT’s. Muzzle ------ Slightly shorter in length to the skull (i.e. 2:3 ratio for muzzle:skull). It is broad, deep and powerful with a slight taper to the nose and falls away slightly under the eyes (refer figure 4). UKC: The muzzle is broad and deep with a very slight taper from the stop to the nose, and a slight falling away under the eyes. The length of muzzle is shorter than the length of skull, with a ratio of approximately 2:3. Skull ----- Large, fairly flat, broad and deep, slightly tapering towards the stop. There is a deep median furrow reducing in depth from stop to occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent but free of wrinkles. When the dog is alerted wrinkles will form on the forehead. UKC: The skull is large, flat or slightly rounded, deep, and broad between the ears. Viewed from the top, the skull tapers just slightly toward the stop. There is a deep median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop to the occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent but free of wrinkles. When the dog is concentrating, wrinkles form on the forehead, which give the APBT his unique expression. Nose ---- Large with wide open nostrils and may be of any colour. UKC: The nose is large with wide, open nostrils. The nose may be any color. Eyes ---- Medium in size, round in shape and set low in the head – not prominent. Eyes can be all colours except blue. The eye rims are the same colour as the skin colour. UKC: Eyes are medium size, round to almond-shaped, and set well apart and low on the skull. All colors are equally acceptable except blue, which is a serious fault. Haw should not be visible. Neck ---- Moderate length and with great strength, tapering from the head into the shoulders. A slight arch over the crest. The neck must be free from loose skin or dewlap (loose, pendulous skin under the throat). The neck is of moderate length and muscular. There is a slight arch at the crest. The neck widens gradually from where it joins the skull to where it blends into well laid-back shoulders. The skin on the neck is tight and without dewlap. Mocking A Dog Before Killing It? ================================ The breed standard contains photographs of a number of dogs. We’re seeking more information about these dogs but think there’s a reasonable chance they were taken at a Victorian pound and that these dogs were subsequently killed. Second ‘Tough Dog’ collar appears to have been dropped over slip lead. Why? Both collars look super loose and the second “tough dog” collar was obviously dropped over the top of the slip lead. To make him look vicious? Was this his crown of thorns? Are These Verified American Pit Bull Terriers? ============================================== Are they certified American Pit Bull Terriers or are they simply dogs someone thought looked like Pit Bulls? How was the breed of these dogs established? This document will be given to people with no training or qualification in breed identification. Surely it does not include images of dogs from unknown parentage? This dog looks more like a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Who Actually Wrote The Standard? ================================ People do some things under the clover of anonymity that they would never dream of if they had to sign their work. It’s our understanding that the authors were assured their involvement would remain a secret. Hon. P. R. HALL (Minister for Higher Educationand Skills) — In respect of consultation with other groups, I can advise Mr Barber that the persons involved in the consultation on the development of the standard — I do not know the actual names of the people — included an all-breeds judge, a veterinarian and an authorised officer of council. They represented their groups on the development of the standard. Hansard We Believe Writing Group Consisted Of These People ================================================== We would welcome a response from the writers and would be happy to publish anything they send through. Patricia Stewart, AVA Victorian Branch Glenda Cook, All Breeds Judge and Corgi Breeder An Authorised Officer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeckoTree Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geo Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Could the UKC do anything about them using their standard to basically inact BSL? I'm sure it has a disclaimer on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keira&Phoenix Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Could the UKC do anything about them using their standard to basically inact BSL? I'm sure it has a disclaimer on it. Yeah the UKC Breed Standard has a disclaimer on it about not being used to identify dogs as a certain breed. Also the DeFrey Vs Logan City Council case had a spokesperson from the UKC as a witness to states that their breed standard could not be used as a breed identifier. Someone needs to take the Council or State Govt (Vic) to court when they have their dog taken and have the "Standard" disproven in court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geo Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Could the UKC do anything about them using their standard to basically inact BSL? I'm sure it has a disclaimer on it. Yeah the UKC Breed Standard has a disclaimer on it about not being used to identify dogs as a certain breed. Also the DeFrey Vs Logan City Council case had a spokesperson from the UKC as a witness to states that their breed standard could not be used as a breed identifier. Someone needs to take the Council or State Govt (Vic) to court when they have their dog taken and have the "Standard" disproven in court. I've contacted the UKC but haven't heard anything back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiara&Heidi Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Why did it take 3 people to do what a 13 year old school kid could have done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeckoTree Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Does any one know the expenditure this will cost local councils? in excess of other animal management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tybrax Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 (edited) http://www.adbadog.com/uploads/conformation%20_%20weightpull%20pic/2008%20conformationBreakdwn.pdf ADBA.. http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/WebPages/LrnBreedInfo UKC Disclaimers... Does any one know the expenditure this will cost local councils? in excess of other animal management? Yep 140,000 + thats with out compenstion.. Edited September 7, 2011 by tybrax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now