geo

Maybe the judge likes pitbulls and didn't want it classed as one.. or she is has completely no idea!!! In other countries staffies are classed at pitbulls so something really needs to be done to protect them.

To Blame the RSPCA for everything is the same as banning dogs solely on breed. The responsibility is the owners, and it's all their fault. I don't believe the RSPCA would've tried to rehome her, as someone said maybe she looked too much like a "pitbull". poor puppy

Potential income from stud duties/puppies. That's one busy Dog!! And i guess only the serious show people could afford to use those dogs or feel that they're worth that much.

Good point AMS i'd be getting the police involed.

How can a dog be worth that much money and how do they figure out how much it costs?

Yes but if the fence is secure they shouldn't be labelled menacing.

Greytmate, should we change everything in our lives because of rude little kids. How about when they do tease the dog you wait outside for them and amend their behavior. Your comment is like me saying, "I better not send my kid to school because she may get taunted their and that's not a good environment for a kid"!!! better keep her at home then eh?

I agree people with little to no back yards should proably not own dogs, but having a secure fence is good enough for me, though totally warranted with some dogs. Community expectation: Little to none as we know how apethetic the Australian nation is so why should they generally give a second though to menacing dogs, for most the only thing they know about the "laws" is what Current Affairs tells them. It seems the only people who do care are responsible dog owners who're trying to make it better, but then we all have different views as this thread certainly shows. Maybe more community consultation and information would help. If councils are going to enforce the law they help create, they can bloody well be held responsible and liable for their actions taken. As should dog owners be liable for their dogs. We all pay our rates and expect professional service not half arsed band aid remedies, that will serve little purpose in protectin the public. If you could imagine a demographic of likely irresponsible owners are they likely to follow council guidelines? remember the council has to rely on the public for a complaint first and in your typical housing estate that may not happen. Then when they do get a complaint, said owner is just as likely to move as he/she wouldn't own the house or get rid of his dog. So in effect it will not stop these types of owners. Then you have a good owner with a secure fence, though he owns a large breed that likes to woof when another dog pisses on his fenceline. The thing is this owner lives in a nice area, where people like the suburb to be quiet and don't like riff raff with large dogs, (because all ruffians own large dogs and have tattoos don't you know:). So nana down the road complains 'cause she missed what Kerri Anne was talking about, next thing, whammo council restriction. It seems like this law may create more work and waste more time for the council, as the decent owners will fight everything to clear a good dogs name.

Applying this law fairly will be the biggest issue. Some peoples yards aren't big enough for 2 fences. Large aggressive dog behind a fence does not equal a HA dog outside the yard, same for small aggressive dogs. I totally agree about flimsy fences, this is a definate problem and conatinment of animals is a must. And i agree about people feeling safe in public areas, but a law has to be workable for it to be effective. Complaints should be referred to competent people not run of the mill ACO's who think they're the law, along with follow ups and advice.

Our family had 2 boxer bitches growing up (intact), the only things that could set them off was food (rarely) or attention jealousy, other than that they were great, though they were mother and daughter, not sure how much a part that played. Good luck! i'm sure it'll be ok! just be weary when you first start to play with them or add toys to the equation. At the moment I tend to seperate my male and female when it's ball time as the female can get dominant, then there is times when they'll play tug happily, that is until the female wants the rope then it's dagger eyes and the male lets go, but we've put some effort in to stop her doing this. Good on you for rescuing a dog!

I'm not arguing greytmate, just voicing my opinion. Seriously how can anyone who owns a dog or has any insight into animal behavior think this is a good law It may serve some purpose if the animal was only declared menacing by an expert animal behaviorist not any member of the public. Then the owners can work on improving the dogs behavior and have the menacing order removed.

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! Lo pan, you're right. How on earth will this ever be policed fairly? My dog and a friends dog just had a play over the park, now to us that was play, but to complaining nancy it's a dog fighting ring! My bitch barks at the fence if you ride past it, but if you stop and comeover to her she'll wag her tail and want pats through the fence? So it totally depends on joe publics perception and their disposition, whether they like dogs or not, whether they like you or not. So how can this be a good law? Greytmate; declaring a dog menacing because someone thinks it's menacing to them is not good, just you wait til someone says your dog looks mean i'm reporting it!! It is a proposterous, unworkable and completely non sensical way of curbing animal attacks. You want better dogs in society, change society.

Perhaps go to your local shelter and have a look around? save a dog.

I think this is a reasonable request , but may i ask wht the driving force is behind it all? have there been certain events that have led people down this path?

That's great news!! Finally your dog at home, I've just spent 2 weeks away form my dogs and can't imagine having spent 6 years!! enjoy having him home!!

People need to follow the law and keep their dogs contained and on leash.People shouldnt have to go about their daily business with their senses on alert to know when they may be attacked or set upon by dogs at large.People shouldnt have to know what to do - it shouldnt be able to happen. Your dead right, however that perfect world doesn't exist. Dog ownership is massive in Australia so people should be aware of how to behave around dogs. Just cause someone doesn't drive doesn't mean they shouldn't know how to cross the road.

Yes being attacked by a large dog would be scarey. However I think all people should be aware of the threat that dogs can pose and try to guage the situation and act accordingly as blind panic will get you nowhere. I had a dog get a hold of my thigh, my first reaction was OW!, secondly it was come on now let go, the dog let go and ran off. The same way you teach kids not to scream and run around dogs, people need to know what to do if a dog rushes them or bites them, and learn ways to avoid getting bitten in the first place.

You say that the majority of PB owners are bogans where i tend to disagree, true they tend to own pitbull type dogs but pure bred apbt are few and far between, most are of type and i guess that's all that bogans care about. iT's funny 'cause for all the reasons these people want tough dogs they're getting overweight slow unproportioned dogs that couldn't run 100m without puffing! all show with no go!

You mean the AKNC doesn't recognise them as a breed. But the government must do as they have banned them..? Rep628s post says it all really, same same but different enough if you want it to be.

What a load of crap, Don Burke is a complete and utter fool. Anyone who believes these sorts of stats is also a fool as they serve no purpose but to scare the public and bring about rediculous legislation. The worse thing is the general public wouldn't get a chance to read this forum and gain an educated insight from dog breeders and fanciers who know a thing or two.

When i was younger our family had mother and daughter boxers, loved eahc other and would play all the time together but jealousy issues like attention or food could turn the situation quite qiuckly and they did have several fights, but within minutes of it stopping were cuddled up on the bed. It's all about knowing your dog inside out and not letting them get into that position to want to fight. Currently if my 15month old male is playing with a toy and myself, our 4 year old bitch likes to bully him into submission, which he thinks is a game 'til she slowly raises the stakes each time they clash, so it's one on one for toy time.

Great post rep628. I hope many people read it! Very accurate it made me laugh. Now i do believe people that have pure blood lines will argue the point, but really they probably wouldn't care what you call their dog. It's true, you mention pitbull people think fighting dog, you mention amstaff everyone goes oh how handsome.

There are plenty of threads already on this forum just do a quick search. Then you'll have to make your own mind up based on what you've learned about them as breeds and how similar and different they are all at the same time. It'll be better if you do some searching on the internet, there's lots of info about it. It's very interesting.

SWF=short white fluffy. cattle dogs, mastiffs, danes, bulldogs, pointers, wolfhounds, ridgies, the list is endless. Yes they are a strong dog, they're well built and they need the same amount of respect, training and socialising as any dog. I think the question is about upping the standard of general dog ownership and not singularing out amstaffs and the like as only suitable for serious dog owners, which is true but it should also be true for all animals. You only have to look at owners of small breeds who've never trained or attempted to treat their dog like anything other than a child which results in ill mannered dogs.

OMG, you really believe all the hype. They're just a dog the same as any other. Tell me how many other breeds of their medium size are you scared of? because in reality it should be all of them as they're no different. The fact is that you're more likely to be attacked by another breed, so think of the SWF or any other breed before being scared of amstaffs. You're scare mongereing and it doesn't do anyone any good.