New Laws Get Tough On Dog Attacks

[korbin13]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/17742709/new-laws-to-get-tough-on-dog-attacks/

Tougher penalties will apply for offences involving dangerous dogs under proposed new laws in WA.

Under the legislation, all dogs will be microchipped and local government will have more power to deal with barking dogs.

If the bill passes, from November 1 this year, all new pet dogs will have to be microchipped while other pet dogs must be microchipped by November 2015.

While some people have called for certain breeds to be banned, the State Government instead says it is targeting dangerous dogs, irrespective of their breed.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson said it was about protecting people, as well as pets.

"The focus is on the behaviour of dogs, not their breed," he said.

"Dogs that have attacked or been aggressive towards people can be declared dangerous and are then subject to controls designed to protect the public."

Rather than just fining owners, their dogs would be forced into a training program, Mr Simpson said.

He said microchipping, costing between $45 and $70, would also provide effective identification of pets for when they became lost or threatened people.

The Dog Amendment Bill will be introduced in Parliament this week.

Mr Simpson said 280,000 homes in WA had at least one dog.

KEY AMENDMENTS PROPOSED FOR WA’S DOG LAWS:

* Stricter control of dogs covering restricted breeds, individual dogs that have been declared dangerous and commercial security dogs

* Banning the advertising, sale, transfer and breeding of dangerous dogs

* Making it a criminal offence for the owner when their dangerous dog kills a person or puts a person’s life in danger

* Court options for dog owners to complete dog training courses

* Extra provisions for guide dogs to include new types of assistance dogs for people with a disability

* Enabling retired racing greyhounds to become pets without a muzzle once they complete a training program.

Without seeing the actual legislation, the key amendments look like a positive step.

[Yonjuro]

It seems pretty fair and sensible from what I seen the usual via media outlets . Nice result for greyhound owners as well.

[westiemum]

Similarly, without actually seeing the legislation, this looks like a huge step in the right direction.

[GeckoTree]

If it's all deed not breed, then good move.

If breed is involved, it's a flop, and WA will suffer it like all the rest who have gone down the 'breeds pose an inherent danger' path.

Hope they got it right.

[Chris the Rebel Wolf]

Fingers crossed but the fact they went out of their way to mention BSL was not being put into effect, that's a good start.