Slushie

Body corporate overruled on pet BY NATASHA RUDRA28 Oct, 2011 04:00 AMA Canberra woman has won the right to keep her pet Staffordshire bull terriers in her apartment complex after taking her case to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.Karina Lanfranchi had asked her body corporate for permission to keep the two dogs in her ground-floor unit but was knocked back on the grounds that the dogs could be dangerous to other residents. But this week the tribunal ordered that the animals should stay, ruling that the owners' corporation had been unreasonable and had mistakenly believed the dogs, Zoe and Lola, were pit bulls. Ms Lanfranchi purchased the unit and her dogs in September last year and in January she asked the executive committee for permission to keep the dogs at her apartment. In February the committee refused her request, despite a majority of fellow apartment owners voting in favour of Ms Lanfranchi before the committee meeting. The committee said the dogs were classified as ''pit bulls'', which were not suitable for apartment living. It was also suggested that the dogs had a record of biting people and other animals and should be muzzled and leashed. In an ACAT hearing earlier this month, Ms Lanfranchi and her lawyer Russell Patrick brought evidence that the dogs were desexed according to the apartment block's pet policy and had been trained to socialise with people. A vet from the Animal Medical Centre gave evidence that Staffordshire terriers were a different breed from pit bulls and were not bred for fighting. The vet told the tribunal that Zoe and Lola had been to puppy school and were quiet, well-behaved dogs with careful and dedicated owners. The owners' corporation provided the tribunal with documents about pit bulls from a national dog-bite victims' group and an article from The Sydney Morning Herald titled ''Killer dog destroyed as neighbours reveal horror of attack in house''. The tribunal also heard that one of the owners in the unit complex had raised a complaint about the dogs' smell. Tribunal senior member Jann Lennard said there was no evidence to support the executive committee's concerns about Zoe and Lola. She said the committee had made a decision that was based on ''erroneous assumptions'' and not supported by evidence or information. Ms Lennard granted Ms Lanfranchi permission to keep Zoe and Lola at her apartment provided they were confined to the home or the backyard and were on a leash outside the apartment. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/crime-and-law/body-corporate-overruled-on-pet/2339027.aspx Full decision can be found http://www.acat.act.gov.au/decisions.php?action=decision&id=224

Congratulations. I was interested in doing this but my dog has NO recall. Other than that she would pass with flying colours.

I used to think that crates were inhumane. I decided to give it a go and my dogs absolutely love them. They are called their indoor beds and you ask them to go to bed they go to their crates and lay down. When they are scared or nervous they take themselves to their crates as they feel very safe in them.

Hi everyone I'm at work so will post the entire article when I get home, but it has started in the ACT. Please vote! Www.canberratimes.com.au Thanks

GardenofEden, you should go and have a look at rescue... see the numerous dogs without any issues at all pts. There just are not the resources out there. Are you prepared to take on these two other dogs? If not, get off your soapbox. Those who deal with rescue have enough to contend with, without your crap. And yes I do have a rescue dog - she did have issues. Was petrified of squeeky toys, was overprotective and didn't have basic training.

I would like to order 1 please.

Toughie toys... I have gary the gator (about $40ish) and larry the lobster ($40ish). They are strong soft toys... Gary is almost fit to be thrown out but he is well over a year old now. Larry has a broken claw but is still going strong. I think if you look at dogtoys.com.au you should be able to find them. ETA - Cuz toys only last a day or two at most at my place.

GardenofEden, perhaps you should applaude someone for putting their time and money out there to help two dogs who are not their own. The OP is offering two dogs a chance - instead of having 4 dogs pts. Woodbyne I wish you all the luck with the dogs.

I do hope that the Councillor who may read this understands what this may mean for many families thinking of moving to QLD. I currently live in Canberra, both my husband and I are professionals. I have been eagerly looking to purchase a property in Ipswich... Only issue is that I own 2 dogs. One a pure stafford and one a stafford mix. Both are larger than the regular stafford and I have been asked if they are amstaffs before - which they are not but I would love one! This decision that they make will sway my decision whether or not to move. I will not, under any circumstances, put my dogs lifestyle or lives at risk! I liken dog breed banning to telling someone that they cannot live in the community if they have children. My dogs ARE my children. If I cannot give them the life that they deserve where I want to live, I will not live there. It is a form of harassment - segregation if you will - I thought that Australian's were above this. Australian's are supposed to be the lucky ones, the free ones, yet the Government/Council etc are determining what type of dog you can have? : People of Ipswich, please don't think that it will stop at the Amstaff, it will progress that all dogs are dangerous (which they all have the ability to be dangerous). With the rest of the world starting to relax BSL rules, why are we doing this? I wonder how many people will leave Ipswich due to this? Or like me, choose not to move there depending on what the outcome is? These things also to be considered before the final decision is made.

My heart goes out to the poor family and those effected by this. It is a very sad day indeed.

I would imagine that this legal argument will not go well for amstaff owners. It may well be a victory for Tango - but only for the time being... It appears that QLD has shown it's hand... All those with amstaff get ready for a fight. Perhaps Minds can be changed before the legislation is. Time to get all SBT owners involved as no doubt we will be next in line after amstaffs.

One can only report what was 'in the news'. Dog attack and reported as a STB. I posted all this before the other thread started.

A family dog that mauled two young girls and their grandmother has been trapped inside their southwestern Sydney home until a dog catcher can subdue the animal. Police and paramedics arrived to a home in Nelson Street, Fairfield, at about 4.45pm (AEDT) on Wednesday following reports of a dog attack. A police spokesman said the pet Staffordshire terrier turned on three family members and attacked them. A 10-year-old girl suffered multiple bite marks and lacerations and a possible fractured arm. Her 12-year-old sister and grandmother were bitten several times by the dog and suffered a series of cuts. All three victims were treated at the scene and taken to Fairfield Hospital in a stable condition. The dog has been trapped inside the family home until a dog catcher arrives to secure the animal and take it away, police said. Police will liaise with the local council to determine whether the dog should be put down. AAP http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/dog-mauls-two-gi...00217-od9h.html It is the first article on google news Australia.

I have also been told that "that's what happens when you have them on lead". I was trying hard to socialise my dog - from outside the fence, she could only sniff the other dogs at that stage - she was very shy and timid and I was getting her used to other dogs (other than the one she lives with). One of the dogs inside the fence snarled and growled and the people inside said that it was my fault as I was outside with her on lead. I didnt question it (as they sounded like they knew what they were talking about) and I never took her back to another dog park because of it. Until now I thought it WAS my fault! WoofnHound I hope your furbabies are all ok.

Reg can now rest, it must have been such a battle for him. Indigirl - you know (and if in doubt DOL knows) you did everything possible you could, there are a lot of other 'dog sitters' that wouldnt have gone to the lengths you did. You went above and beyond and I think Reg was lucky to have you with him until his owner came home. I am glad Reg had time to say good bye to his owner. She must be devastated.

You all have fun with the ignorance of the general public, but some breeders are not approachable at all - thus leading to the public's ignorance. When I had ordered by stafford and took the kids to a dog show there was staffords in the ring and I said to the kids - that is what Tedde is going to look like when he grows up. The breeder said 'Unless you are buying one of his dogs, they will not look like him at all'. All I was trying to do was show the kids what our dog would grow into. I plan to go and have a look at the Staffords in Canberra this year, but it will be the first time back after 5 years (to watch) and I used to go to watch dog shows all the time. Perhaps (and it appears so) I just ran into the wrong breeder, but all I wanted was some information and to have a look at how great my breed can be.

So for the uneducated (in terms of showing) what day/time are the Staffords on?

So many poor babies... It breaks my heart.

My Ted is quite the smarty pants. He knows how to open the sliding doors (that are 30 years old and difficult to move). He lets himself in when he wants to come in which can be a little annoying. But the best part of it is he has now learnt to open it from the inside, so at night he goes and lets himself out! He is yet to learn to close the door. When he is in trouble he pulls the 'mummummummmummmummummumuummm' thinking I will just let him go as it is really cute (and he usually gets away with it). Ted doesnt like his bowl to be empty - ever. So when it is he pushes it around with his paw until he gets your attention. The other REALLY clever thing he does is open the door, let Booh in and see if she gets in trouble for coming in. When she doesnt, he comes in. Ted sends her in to 'test the water'.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

I can highly recommend Pets at Peace - especially the service in Canberra. I called up to say that my dog had passed, he came over within 2 hours to collect her. Chloe was treated with respect and dignity, from someone she never knew. He asked me if I needed more time to say goodbye, I managed to hold back the tears until the guy from pets at peace walked out my gate with her in the box and he whispered 'c'mon little chloe'.

I feel the pain you are experiencing... I lost my cavie just over 3 months ago. The meds she was on bought us a couple more months than we were expecting. I hope that your boy gets good results from the meds, just remember to enjoy the last years you have with him.

I have no words to ease your pain. Thank you for sharing the memories of your furbabies with us.

My 5 year old staffy has always been a little 'standoffish' towards going to the vets. I can understand... he is a little accident prone and thus has had: - desexing - baby teeth removed - grass seed in his salivary duct removed - grass seed in his ear removed all under a general at various points in his life. He also goes to get all his vaccinations and heartworm jabs once a year. Plus had to go to the emergency vet to get his 'pink bit' pushed back in as it had gotten stuck out. Usually he only back peddles when we get to the door and once we are on the table he is a little frightened but deals with it. I took him to get his yearly shots on Saturday and he was the worst behaved I have ever seen. He wouldnt get onto the table, the vet was really good and asked if it would be better if she examined him on the floor, she got out the thing to look in his eyes and he started to growl and snarl - not a behaviour I have seen from my little boy before. I asked the vet if she wanted to put on a muzzle. I said that I didnt think that he would bite because he doesnt do that, but she needs to feel comfortable around him too. We went without the muzzle. He calmed down a little but he still needed his vaccinations. It took 3 of us to hold him while she got the needles into it. It must have been a very traumatic experience for him and I dont want him to hate going to the vet as he is getting older and will be going more regularly. I dont think it is something that I was doing as I took the girl to get her shots also on the weekend and she was a perfect angel. What can I do to make Ted enjoy (or at least tolerate) going to the vets? ETA this was his first trip to the vets since I lost his other doggie playmate 2 months ago.... would this have anything to do with it?

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. I am glad I could portray (even if it was only a small amount) what a special girl she was to me. She was with me 15 years, we went through everything together, from my first kiss to my mum getting diagnosed with cancer again. I miss her everyday, but the other two dogs make sure that I am ok.