tdierikx

Very Very true but take 90% to 100% of genetics out by good judgement in breeding and traceable parentage and siblings and your left with an uninformed or idiot owner or a very sick dog. Sickness is easy enough to test for in majority of cases. besides current ideas are getting nowhere so why no start at the begining. Where are these dogs coming from? I beg to differ there... many (if not a larger proportion than not) mixed breed dogs are perfectly fine family pets and decent canine citizens - and healthy as well. These attacks are by a minority of the BREEDS they represent in the community. However - the majority of dogs that HAVE attacked seem to be owned by a certain subset of the community... often reared with little socialisation, little stimulation, and absolutely no training whatsoever - is it any wonder that they are a menace when they get out into a public space? A dog is not born "bad" because it's of a certain breed or breed mix... how it is reared also plays a huge part in whether it is more or less likely to be a menace or downright dangerous. T.

Genetics are only one part of the puzzle that makes a dog prone to acts of violence or not... T.

Grrr! I was all ready to rab my camera and head off to check out Symbio Zoo... then I saw Harper's face... The naughty Horse Puppy had obviously bitten a bee or a wasp, and her usually gorgeous squid lips had swollen up to Shar Pei size... so off to the vet we went. 2 shots later, we are back home on observation duty to make sure the shots take and the swelling goes down. The naughty bee eater is now confined to her crate for a couple of hours to keep her out of trouble... *grin* Looks like I'll have to mow the lawn instead of going to the zoo today... reduce the temptation for those nasty bees... T.

I'm thinking that the new legislation will mean that the "evidence" will be mostly anecdotal - ie. someone reports that a dog growled at them, and the authorities investigating will look at breed/size of the dog, and declare it "potentially dangerous" based on that... I hope I'm proven wrong... T.

"Kindred Bodies"... does that include the AAPDB? They are apparently a legitimate association... for "pet dog" breeders... T.

If the current laws were being enforced re mandatory microchipping (in NSW), the number of BYB's would decline... T.

My Lab and my Rottie/Pittie cross will come on the first call no matter what the distraction is - the trick is to actually be watching your dog and doing said recall as soon as you see them starting to head off... which most people at dog parks aren't doing. My youngest 2 can't be trusted yet, so they are on lead whenever we are out... simplifies things to no end really. T.

I'm still wondering who/how will be enforcing these new laws... and in whose opinion a dog is guilty of "menacing"... T.

Seriously too cute for boots! T.

Didn't they all have fun? Awesome party toys you made... T.

Give her a call... number is on the following page... http://www.companionsforlife.com.au/ T.

Awww... hope Widget didn't get messy ewwies to clean up from them... Stunning photos of gorgeous doglets... T.

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/nsw-to-introduce-new-dog-law-after-attacks/story-e6frfku9-1226701003867 THE NSW government will toughen the state's dog laws, including introducing a new category of menacing dogs, following a recent fatal attack on a toddler. The changes follows the death of two-year-old Deeon Higgins, who was mauled by his cousin's bullmastiff in Deniliquin in the state's southwest this month. The dog had not been considered dangerous before the attack. Councils will be able to order the owners of dogs that have not attacked but are deemed aggressive to have their dogs desexed, wear a muzzle and never to be left alone with someone under the age of 18, The Daily Telegraph has reported. Owners who ignore the tough rules for dogs categorised as menacing, dangerous or restricted will face maximum jail time of five years if their dog then attacks. Under current legislation a dog has to attack before it can be declared dangerous. "This is a more proactive approach that is followed in other jurisdictions," Local Government Minister Don Page told the newspaper. Fines will increase to a maximum of $77,000 from $55,000 for owners who fail to comply. The NSW government originally received recommendations for tougher dog laws from the Companion Animals Taskforce in February, the Telegraph said. ---------------------- What isn't mentioned is how a dog will be identified as being "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" - or in the words of this article "deemed aggressive"... T.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/rangers-will-be-given-power-to-remove-menacing-dogs-20130819-2s7dz.html State cabinet is expected to approve a new category of "menacing or potentially dangerous dog" within days following the fatal attack on toddler Deeon Higgins at Deniliquin this month. Under existing legislation there are restrictions on two types of dogs - "dangerous" dogs and five breeds of "restricted" dogs. The Companion Animals Act will be amended to allow council rangers to declare a dog "potentially dangerous" and take it off the streets if it has shown "aggressive tendencies", even if it does not have a history of attacks. Local Government Minister Don Page foreshadowed the move at a budget estimates hearing when answering a question from opposition local government spokeswoman Sophie Cotsis. Ms Cotsis said there had been nearly 10,000 dog attacks in NSW in the past two years and Mr Page had failed to act on a report from the Companion Animals Taskforce that had been sitting on his desk since February. Advertisement Mr Page said menacing dogs may not have to be secured in a childproof enclosure like a dangerous dog but would need to be on a lead and possibly muzzled if taken out in public. "Certainly it would need to be under the control of a person over 18 years of age," he said. Cabinet will consider adding to the restricted dog breeds and recovery of registration fees from the 600,000 dogs in NSW that are microchipped but not registered. *sigh* T.

Awww... look at the lovely Widget's eyes... can see where the babies get their peepers from... *grin* T.

Cleaning? What's that? I don't have carpet, so dog hair is my winter insulation... lol! All I use is a broom every now and then when the dust bunnies start to gang up and try to make a 5th dog out of themselves... *grin* My 7kg washing machine can handle a queen sized doona if needed... and filters dog hair quite effectively. T.

I got the same dog as you... didn't look overly impressed at being photographed... lol! T. Hahah it didn't look too happy, no :p I didn't mind this survey actually, I found it interesting what emotions I thought I could see in a picture without knowing the dog. Did it look like this: Or like this? Nope - looked to be a bit older than your gorgeous baby... T.

Zuri is one seriously cute little poppet... Stunning pics grizabella! T.

That is a stunning photo... captures her inner beauty as well... T.

Fave and comment to your heart's content grizabella... I'm learning heaps from your comments on the chimps... thanks heaps! Hopefully I'll be able to tell them all apart reliably eventually... lol! Next time you make it up here to Sydney, we need to meet up at the Chimp exhibit (on a weekend if you can) and you can help me pick everyone out.... T.

Thanks for the faves perse... *grin* You have some gorgeous photos also... will drop back by and go through them all a little bit later today, OK? T.

We need LOTS of eyes pics please... of the boys as well... *grin* T.

There's a lot of zigging and zagging... and sometimes knowing when the keeper talks are about to start is a good thing - get there before the crowds and get a decent spot. Keeper talks often coincide with feeding so the animals are more energetic at that point in time... I've been going to the zoo every weekend for a few weeks now also, so there's no real urgency to see everything or anything in particular... I get to be fairly leisurely in my meanderings. T.

OMG! They aren't even 2 weeks old yet... and she's off and running already! How big is she though... poor Widget... T.

My dogs are harnessed in the car - or crated in the back section of the wagon. Seen too many near accidents to chance my dogs... T.