New dog law almost impossible to enforce: RSPCA
A major overhaul of Queensland’s dangerous dog laws to ban breeds associated with fighting will be almost impossible to enforce due to a significant problem identifying them, the RSPCA warns.
The state government has proposed a raft of changes, including introducing a new law to require people to keep their dogs under control in public and the possibility of fines or imprisonment for owners of dogs that attack.
It is also proposing to ban five breeds of dog in Queensland, including the american pit bull terrier.
The RSPCA, however, argues that change will be difficult to enforce, noting “none of the methods for identification can be relied upon” to enforce breed-specific legislation.
“These sections of the Act will be difficult to enforce and open to challenge,” it said.
“Legislation targeting specific breeds needs to provide a mechanism for how the people responsible for identifying prohibited breeds can do so with confidence. In the case of a pit bull, this is simply not possible.”
The RSPCA said Italy, the Netherlands and several US states had repealed breedspecific laws due to concerns about cost, animal welfare during the decision and appeals process and research which found they had “no impact on the prevention of dog bites”.
Each year more than 8500 complaints are received about aggressive dogs and attacks, with more than 2500 dog attack victims hospitalised.
Attacks on children made up 81 per cent of incidents, a “harrowing” statistic Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said proved the need for change.
“This Bill is important in delivering community expectations and ensuring our councils have the necessary powers to keep Queenslanders safe while also ensuring there is an understanding of the place dogs have in peoples’ lives,” he said.
Dogs Queensland, the peak organisation for show dogs and pet owners, argued the prohibition of five breeds would do little to avoid attacks, arguing they were “not breed dependent”.