sumosmum

Leema, I have added a few links to my above post, but if you are looking for more info, you can find links on some of the facebook pages if you do facebook. Victims of Breed Specific Legislation Australia I disagree with the 2010 Domestic Animals Amendment (Dangerous Dogs) Bill! If you just do a search on facebook, the pages/groups should come up.

There was another one in Reservior, a dog or dogs, broke through the adjoining neighbours fence and killed the neighbours dog. Reservoir One in Mooroolbark Mooroolbark Somewhere near Geelong Geelong eta There was also one in Glenroy, and supposedly another one in Cranbourne. There was from memory a few others as well. Sorry, can't find the articles at the moment. All of these incidents could have been avoided.

Have shared on facebook. Good luck, I really hope for some good news soon.

After we tried to catch him, he wasn't sighted there again, but months later, one of the people in the group happened to see him in another area. I don't know what happened after that, haven't heard any more, but I think Bilbo would know what happened. Funny, cause I was thinking about him the last few days too. I was thinking also that where he was, would be a real snakey area, and I wouldn't walk through that spot at this time of the year.

Good idea to get the man a solicitor. The dog would be kept at the Lost Dog's Home in North Melbourne.........poor dog. He won't be allowed to visit the dog at all, that is how they are. The Melbourne council ranger should try going to the Treasury Gardens any day of the week and start booking the people who let their dogs offlead right in front of the Premiers office. It makes me very annoyed. There is also a duck pond there and a lot of the dogs chase the ducks. Tell that to the ranger if you happen to run into him. So over this state and the way they are so hypocritical with their dog laws. I hope this man can get his dog back. I do know of a Solicitor who is experienced with dog cases, and he would most likely be willing to give some advice over the phone. He would charge though to represent I think. If you would like I could PM you the Solicitors details. He is a very nice man.

Maybe he had his dog muzzled so that nobody could ever accuse his dog of biting them. I bought my dog a muzzle to wear at the offlead park even though he has never hurt a person or animal. The reason being, my dog is a bull breed, and even if another dog started something, chances are, my dog would be blamed. It actually happened when my dog was onlead, and attacked by a dog. The owner tried it on about his breed. Luckily the ranger wasn't stupid. Something along these lines may have been why the dog was muzzled. I don't use my dogs muzzle, just don't bother going to offlead parks anymore.

Good job Shek. Bet you are relieved.

Staffyluv, I have only just read your very sad news. I am so very sorry for your loss of your gorgeous boy Ollie. I have followed his story over the years, and I too feel like I know him. You were a wonderful Mum to Ollie and you were both very fortunate to have each other. I hope you and your family are okay. I know you will be missing him so much. I have also read of your other sad news, and send my heartfelt condolences. Sending love and prayers your way. RIP Beautiful Ollie, you are a little hero, and will never be forgotten. So loved.

My cat Sumo, who went to heaven a few years ago, he loved to try and lick my feet. For his whole life(18years) he did it. If he noticed I had bare feet, he would chase me for a lick of my feet.

I agree Ruffles. The dedication of all was fantastic. Lets face it, it wasn't pleasant out in that weather. I was a bit disappointed that there were not more breed clubs participating. The Rescues that came were great too. Maybe some of the clubs had other things on, but still, a bit disappointed considering some of their own breeds are also under the spotlight with the laws and the media regarding this matter. Hopefully next time, there will be more participation from them. And weren't all the offical dogs that attended just great. So well behaved. Loved all the great banners and signs too. :D

Yep, good on you guys. Also looking forward to the photos. :D

Hope you all have a wonderful day, and lots and lots of people turn out for this very important event. :D

From The Age, Dog Lovers rally in defence of their own.....The Age JUST days after the Victorian government ended its amnesty on unregistered restricted-breed dogs, Point Cook veterinarian Karen Davies did something that hurt her more than anything else in her career. Her two decades as a vet has included a stint in the emotionally draining area of working with shelter animals. But earlier this month, she put down a healthy and seemingly well-adjusted dog because of the way it looked. Advertisement: Story continues below Haunted by the experience, she posted an entry on her clinic's Facebook page, which read in part: ''Today for the first time in 20 years I am questioning if I still want to do this job. My staff and I are all in tears after having to put down our first pit bull under the new legislation. ''He had been dumped, by an owner who had put in the time for this magnificent dog to be friendly to all, shake hands and worse still licked my face with kisses as he passed … to the unknown dog that now sleeps in the arms of my staff with our tears, may life make you look different next time because in this life that was your only flaw.'' The comments were picked up online and posted on online discussion groups and Dr Davies has now been propelled into the front line of those fighting breed-specific legislation at rallies in Melbourne and Sydney tomorrow. She will be a speaker at the rally that will start at Federation Square and march to Parliament House to protest against the method of the crackdown on restricted breeds. Council officers are now able to use visual guidelines to seize and possibly put down a dog that looks like an American pit bull terrier or a cross if it has not been registered as a restricted breed. This has led to people dumping dogs on the street or at veterinary clinics, rather than complying with the requirements. ''Putting to sleep a perfectly healthy animal that would fit into any happy home for no reason other than he had a label on him because of his looks was dreadful,'' she said. Dr Davies and rally organisers believe that dangerous dogs of any breed should be destroyed. But they point to countries, such as the Netherlands and Italy, which have repealed breed-specific legislation, to argue that the current approach does not reduce dog attacks. In Victoria there are five types of dogs classified as restricted breeds, but dog trainer Brad Griggs, who has helped organise the Melbourne rally, said there was no science to back such policies. Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said yesterday the government had been pleased with the way the regulations had been received, helping raise awareness in the community. ''My view is there has been overwhelming support for what we've done with the restricted-breed dogs,'' he said. ''People want to feel safe in their community from those particular types of dogs, and we have done that.'' He was not able to provide the number of dogs that had been surrendered, impounded or destroyed, or how many were subject to an appeal. ''It would be a number of weeks before the first lot of statistics come through,'' he said. The Lost Dogs Home's managing director, Graeme Smith, said he ''fully supports'' the government's move. ''I'm not going to stand by and see dogs kill other animals or people,'' Dr Smith said. ''I'm strong on it, and I won't [kowtow to] people who are trying to wreck the government's initiatives.'' Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/dog-lovers-rally-in-defence-of-a-breed-of-their-own-20111020-1ma99.html#ixzz1bNdfAX4A

Looking forward to seeing a great turnout on Saturday. The weather forecast so far looks pretty good.Top of 23c expected. Showers in the afternoon. Hope the showers stay away until we are finished. We have to make a change to the current laws, although I think it will take a while, but this is a first step. Let's hope we get some awareness, and get the public thinking. Is anyone bringing banners? ETA :D

Agree, I think this is just wonderful. I love the Meercats. :D

Love it.

Cazstaff, so pleased to see Tammy looking and feeling so wonderful. She is a very special lady, and I am so happy for the both of you. Happy anniversary Tammy. and Cazstaff. :D

I heard this too about AVA vets are not prepared to declare breed to save a dog, the very people able to help prevent the carnage under the new laws don't have the spine to take a risk that can't be proven anyway I find is a total copout? The law doesn't require the breed declaration has to be correct, it requires the dog to have the breed declared by a vet to the effect it's not a restricted breed. If a vet declared a Pitbull X as a Cocker Spaniel it satisfies the law, the dog has a vet certificate declaring the breed is not restricted, with that in hand from what I have read of the present law, an ACO has no legal grounds to seize the dog? Declaring one as a Cocker Spaniel is a silly example that would raise suspicion, but a vet has the power to declare the dog is not a restricted breed with a multitude of breeds to choose from that could produce a particular look, can't be proven otherwise by DNA so what's the problem? The Vet certification was only intended for Amstaffs. The wording is vague in the legislation, but I was told that is what was intended. The AVA have advised their vets that it isn't a good idea to do the Certificates, but I do know that at least one Vet who is not a member of the AVA will do a certificate. Dr Kim Hooper runs a mobile vet service in the NE of Melbourne. Dr Kim is a true friend of the dog, a very compassionate and ethical professional, and a supporter of the NDTF. If you believe you require a vet certificate as a result of the current legislation please take some time to call her on 0434377156 and seek some advice. Kim will be happy to take your call and see if she can help you given your situation and ethical constraints. Dr Kim is not a member of the AVA.

Good for them Mona, that is great. I keep up with the news on Paros, an island I have spent a lot of time on over the years, and they have a rescue group there called PAWS. Paros Animal Welfare Society. They are on facebook, under the name PAWS. These groups are much needed over there. On the islands, I think a lot of people go there on holidays, get a dog, and then after the extended holiday just leave the dog behind. Also, some come from the mainland and leave the dogs on the islands as well. Very sad. Sorry for going off topic.

Thanks Mita. We are hoping for a big turnout on the day.

Brad Griggs is the main organiser, and quite a few people are helping.

That sounds really great. I wonder if there is any downside to this, as in possible bad side effects.

Yep,cable ties here too. I could get the spiral things on easy enough, but they kept moving out of place all the time. I didn't realize you had to squash the ends in. I think I just chucked the spiral things out. We are a cable tie type of family too. Love them. I trim as well, get scared they will poke into eyes and cause damage.

Just bumping to make sure people in Melbourne are aware of the rally and details, and hopefully will come along and support the cause. Thanks.

And the "a particular breed" bit is only for American Staffordshire Terriers. I queried the Minister, and that is the answer I got. Poor wording, but that was the intent.