Call to ban breeds
ANIMAL management legislation needs to change to ensure dangerous dog breeds are banned from suburbia, a Vincent grandmother says.
Marilyn Turner’s call came after the latest data showed that, on average, 11 dog attacks were reported to the Townsville City Council every week.
The data also showed 74 dogs were declared dangerous in the past financial year. If a dog attacks or injures another person or animal it may be declared dangerous.
Community Health and Environment Committee chairwoman Cr Ann- Maree Greaney said there were 607 dog attacks reported to the council during the past financial year.
“Of those, 370 of the attacks were on animals, 203 involved people and 34 included both animals and people,” she said. Ms Turner, whose pet dog Kai died in a vicious dog attack outside her Vincent home in March, said she feared a child would die in Townsville if dangerous dog breeds were allowed to be kept in suburbia.
“That child that died in her own home last week in Victoria is an absolute tragedy,” she said. “But that type of horror story will be repeated here in Townsville if dangerous dog breeds aren’t banned. There’s no good rea- son to own a dog that has the potential and capability to kill a human being. The laws surrounding keeping dangerous and regulated dogs don’t seem to be working.”
A 14- month- old girl died last week after she was mauled by the family dog, a german wire- haired pointer, in her home in Victoria.
Ms Turner, 70, said she no longer walked her pet dogs in her suburb.
“I fear my dogs will be attacked if I walk them along my street or suburb,” she said. “There are so many pit bulls and other dangerous dog breeds in Townsville.”
Cr Greaney said it was crucial that dog owners acted responsibly.
“Council strongly promotes and encourages responsible pet ownership, whether it’s through supporting the Canine Obedience Club to ensure better behaved dogs or by providing free microchipping days,” Cr Greaney said. “Pets are a responsibility for life and owners need to feed them, care for them and – importantly – train them properly.
“If any residents have any issues such as straying or menacing dogs, they should contact council immediately and we can send a trained officer out to investigate.”
Ms Turner said she wanted to collate stories of people affected by a dog attacks. Email: emzt23@outlook.com