Quickasyoucan

Interestingly the comments on that article are 100% against. Can that mean the DD message has got through or have a lot of DOLers been very busy?

This does not work when one dog pretty much fits in the other dog's mouth. Go the boot people. I'd happily lose a leg to save one of my dogs.. my hands are very much a part of my living. When I went to a dangerous dog seminar with Steve Austin he said if you were attacked best to offer the dog your bum ie curl up in a ball with your bum facing the dog. I guess there is more padding and less arteries there!

I don't personally have a problem with increasing penalties for owners of dogs that actually do serious harm, why shouldn't the owners be liable. Might make them think twice about getting another dog ever. Its the BSL bit of the new laws that I consider the issue... I think the two are the subject of separate legislation as well in Vic so are not lumped in together. This increase in penalty might be nationwide like what was being talked about?

Seriously speaking though I think this is bigger than just pitbulls and I don't think owners of other breeds (even pedigreed ones) can afford to put their heads in the sand. Vic are talking about the "type" of dog (not breed specific) that is likely to be dangerous and that is heading down a slippery path. I could be wrong but my understanding is purebred Amstaff owners got a break because there was an argument that the standard had moved a long way from the APBT. However Victoria is clearly saying Amstaff x and those types are restricted breeds not just APBT crosses. If SBT x's start getting mixed up in this as well as SBT's without papers but who are still genetically SBT's, the argument about standards becomes moot. Judging by the reaction of Joe public anything that does not meet the "family dog mould" ought to have a one way trip to the killing fields.

How bizarre I was just going to ask you that. :D Gosh there are some ill informed people out there. ETA how many spare rooms do you have in your house PF?

Very interesting article thanks for posting. Good to see that they have the fact of the same laws not having worked in the UK in there and some informed opinion for a change. ETA sorry should add read the text here so didn't see the picture which lets the rest of it down badly.

Agree with Dee Lee and Agility Dogs. Besides I think you will find that at least in NSW the law is very clear. A dog can be declared dangerous for an "unprovoked attack". I don't think being rushed at on leash and retaliating can by any stretch of the imagination be considered "unprovoked". In fact on a strict reading of the law the OP's dog could be declared dangerous for rushing the leashed dog. There is no need for injury to have been caused. This is not to have a go at the OP, none of us are perfect and they have admitted they are wrong and that they will ensure it will not happen again. that is part and parcel of the learning process and responsible dog ownership. And good on the OP. Dee Lee has echoed exactly what my friend whose dog does not like other dogs does. She never lets her dog off lead, never goes to the dog park, I firmly believe she should be able to walk down a street (where is is ILLEGAL) to have your dog off leash, without being molested by other dogs, no matter how friendly their owners might think they are or whether the owners think it is their "right" to walk their dogs of leash. She should not have to muzzle her own dog just because other people want to break the law.

The council officer knows better. What is a more credible way to determine a dogs breed, the councils "approved standards", or DNA evidence ? Hmmm, that's a tough one. So that means that, given that some people have already stated that their pedigreed SBT's fit the standard, if they did not get papers but have a DNA test stating that is a purebred SBT, the dog can still be deemed a pitbull type? Sound like they American take on things where anything bully is a "pitbull". Basically it would appear they are going after anything that is a bull type breed. I think the moral of that story for out of towners would be don't visit Victoria with your dog if it remotely looks bully in any way, purebred, cross, or whatever. ETA: I just cannot see how it would stand up in court if your DNA test says your dog is say an SBT x ridgeback with not hint of American Staffordshire in the genetic markers that it could be deemed a pitbull x. I guess the key word here is "type" the catch all term. I suppose we should also start arresting people who look a bit dodgy on the grounds they are a criminal "type". Seriously beggars belief. I foresee lots of legal challenges same as in QLD.

The leg thing I suggested doesn't include any pulling away - just lifting their hind legs up quite high. Otherwise like you say your just dragging them and tearing the other dog. Sorry yes wasn't referring to your post there was an earlier one suggesting cartwheeling them away. I also got told be very careful if there are 2 dogs attacking one as again the victim can get torn if you try to separate by pulling away it can be like the rope in the middle of a tug of war.

If you try and grab a dog's back legs if it has clamped its jaws down and cartwheel it away you will just cause tearing to the dog that is being held. I have been told: if the dog is clamped down cut off the air supply. If it is a scuffle between two dogs (snapping but not attached) do the back legs thing. Though it is easier said than done if like me you are not very coordinated . I have tried to catch a dog during a scuffle before and they do move fast....

No offence to Djeldred but I think the more inoffensive the wording the better. Usind inflammatory language sends the message to me that you are aggressive yourself just like having studded collars.

It also looks like a lot of the wording has been taken from the actual breed standard for example in colour it talks about white being unacceptable. Lot of vagueness in there tho with regard to weight, ear set etc. it actually give the weight range as 14-36 kg. That would cover the vast majority of staffordshire bull terriers too I would think.

http://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2011/GG2011S283.pdf Here is the link to the official document. It contains quite a lot of pictures.

I just had a look at the Gazette 1 September doesn't seem to be in there unless they are releasing a special gazette notice? http://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2011/GG2011G035.pdf

CKCS, French Bulldog, smaller terrier maybe norfolk, norwich or westie. Also like the idea of giving a home to a 'verandah dog' an aged working breed that needs somewhere to spend the remainder of their days, I love kelpies but a young one would not fit my lifestyle even now, but maybe a really old one ... :D

What about a working line lab, I know its a gundog but I would suspect they would have edge if you got the right one. The ones I have met are way different from the lumbering labs that you see in the dog park.

Julie, I sent you a donation, put dubbo orange help in the re: didn't know what else to put. Not much but I am sure every bit helps.

Tedotto, Obviously your first port of call would be your own breeder but, failing that, since there are only relatively few breeders in Australia maybe you could try calling/emailing one of the other breeders, not their responsibility obviously but sometimes people who have a passion for their breed take it upon themselves to assist dogs in need not of their own breeding. I note there are a couple of breeders in this thread who have taken the time already to respond to queries they might be a good start. There is a list here: http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/breeders/lagotto-romagnolo.asp Failing that you could try the non-urgent section of the rescue part of this forum (though it's not strictly rescue your dog is desexed I note which is one of the important criteria).

Personally I don't get the certificate from a vet thing. Since when were they breed experts. I thought they were there to look after dogs health, not assist in their destruction.

And enlighten me why a dog that is neither DA or HA should have to be kept muzzled and on leash? Because it 'looks' dangerous? Is it really though? BSL is bullshit. All dogs have teeth, all dogs have the capability to bite. Shall we ban anything with teeth then? SecretKei: Bindo I've met dogs of ALL different kinds of breeds that shouldn't be let off lead at a park. What you just described is not breed specific so I don't see your point. I don't own a DA dog but do you seriously think someone with a DA dog gets no joy from their dog? There is a lot more to enjoying your dog than watching it run around with other dogs at a park. No responisible dog owner wants a DA dog but they wouldn't stop loving a dog because it had issues. I'd do what I could to improve them, manage them and keep enjoying life with them in whatever way I could. Well said. A lot of breed descriptions of sight hounds, for example, say never let them off leash except in a fenced area not because they are aggressive but because they might not come back. There are a multitude of reasons why a dog owner might not let their dogs off, but it doesn't stop them being great dogs. Besides og parks are usually a maelstrom of bad doggy manners at the best of times. Most professionals will tell you to avoid them like the plague. Oh and being DA is not the preserve of bull breeds. I've met a fair few DA labs in fact one bit a hole in my dogs face and resulted in an expensive vet visit.

Oh God! Yes, please!!! Could we start drafting a "breed" standard :D

But it does provide an appeal process to people whose dogs are already registered but council decides they believe they are a PB cross. That is what a lot of people who have posted here are worried about.

Grumpette just posted an extract from Hansard. There is a right of appeal The standard or description that was identified in the previous contribution was developed with the consultation of an all-breeds judge, a veterinarian and an authorised officer of a local council. It provides a tool for the public and for council officers to use in assessing what type of dog can be declared as a pit bull. A working group developed the standard for assessing whether or not a dog might be of the pit bull type. The standard has been written in such a way that it will be the legal tool to assist the authorised officers of councils who can declare a dog to be of a restricted breed. There is no nationally recognised breed standard for American pit bull terriers, and they are the type of dog that council officers have had most difficulty in identifying. The working group therefore concentrated on written and pictorial standards for that breed. In relation to the right of review, if an officer declares a dog to be of a restricted breed, the owner has the right to appeal through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The Department of Primary Industries has produced a toolkit to assist local government in the implementation of this legislation, and it has established a hotline.

Here is the actual dog Only a small pic but difference is clearly visible from archive photo!

Do you mean the archive photo or the pic of the actual dog? ETA this is the header photo they now have on their front page, that is a rottie I am pretty sure, but also isn't the dog from the attack that is clear. Also the name of the file is not mine.