BAMBI BACK HOME AFTER PROVING SHE’S NO OUTLAW
A GOLD Coast couple has had their beloved staffy returned after council officers determined it was not an outlawed breed.
Tahlia Smith and Scott Cullen said they feared their adopted dog Bambi would be put down after she was held overnight by the council for a breed assessment because she looked like an American pitbull terrier.
Under Queensland law, American pitbull terriers, as well as presa canarios, Japanese tosas, dogo argentinos and fila brasileiros are regulated breeds which require permits to be kept.
The eight-month-old Bambi had been taken to the Gold Coast City Pound in Arundel. Council officers said they found her wandering in Upper Coomera.
Ms Smith said when she arrived at the pound to collect her dog half an hour later she was the told Bambi would be held for a breed assessment. She said she provided paperwork proving Bambi’s breed. However, she was still denied her dog.
Ms Smith and Mr Cullen presented staff at the pound yesterday morning with a copy of the current legislation concerning dog breeds and the paperwork proving Bambi’s breed. She was given back to her owners for a release fee of $250.
Mr Cullen said the event had been confusing and distressing.
“We knew they couldn’t take her and when they saw the legislation they handed her back,” he said. “We are pretty emotional. I couldn’t believe they could do this.”
The owners dispute the council’s claim that the dog escaped and was found without tags. They also said they were told no breed assessment had taken place.
A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson said the breed check was carried out.
“The dog has been returned to the owner after conducting required checks as to the ownership and breed of the animal,” the spokesperson said.
“As per council’s Local Law 12, certain breeds including pit bull terrier or cross are prohibited within the City of Gold Coast. If there is any doubt of a dog’s breed, the City is authorised to undertake a breed assessment.”