Jail for owners of dogs that kill

Jail time could be on the cards for dangerous dog owners whose pets kill or injure, with Queensland’s Agriculture Minister Mark Furner confirming harsher penalties would be considered following a spate of recent animal attacks.

Mr Furner convened an urgent meeting of the dangerous dog task-force at parliament on Wednesday, along with representatives from local government, to discuss crucial changes to dangerous animal laws.

He said the exact penalties would be reviewed, but it was agreed they needed to be boosted above the current maximum fine – which sits at $42,000 – though exactly how much would not be decided until after community consultation.

“Currently there is legislation in both NSW and Victoria that provides jail time for persons that have caused death as a result of their irresponsible behaviour with their dogs on a person,” he said.

“There’s an opportunity to address that, and now is the time to do that.”

A discussion paper would now be prepared for community consultation, with a further meeting of the task-force to be held in late May.

Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Alison Smith said there was not a moment to lose on “this very serious issue”.

“Councils have been working very hard with the state government to look for proposals that will enhance and improve community safety – including tougher penalties across a sliding scale,” she said.

“Everything from the smallest offence to the most serious offence.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was horrified by the recent spate of vicious dog attacks, where three young children suffered horrendous injuries.