Nannas

Any dog microchipped legally in NSW as APBT or Cross would have already been issued with an NOI. Any NOI dog who DIDN'T go through with the BA and TT is automatically listed (by law) as Resticted. You do NOT have to go through BA and TT before they can restrict your dog. You do not even HAVE to do BA and TT. Once the NOI is sent out/delivered to the address on the microchip and registration, the owner has 28days to comply with BA and TT and if the owner fails to present those the dog is automatically restricted. If the owner did NOT recieve their NOI the Council take no responsibility as it is up to the owner to keep microchip/registration details uptodate. Dogs that are microchipped as RBx's and have NOT passed the TT test are all restricted and the Council has full right to PTS. The owners would have already been issued NOI's (whether they received it or not) and there is no 'rules' that the Council has to issue a second NOI. Unmicrochipped/unregistered assumed RBx are NOT supposed to leave a pound/shelter UNTIL some type of BA and TT has been done. They cannot release a 'supposed' restricted dog before having a Temp Test done incase it does attack someone or something. IF the pound think the dog is safe, then they can rehome and serve a NOI, but they usually warn people of the costs etc involved beforehand (which usually puts people off)

Restricted Breed Xs found roaming or handed in at Pounds etc are not supposed to be released to anyone,,,,,even the owner, unless it has passed the TT previously. The pound might be waiting for the owners to show up with papers etc to prove it has passed the TT BUT that can only be done if the dog is microchipped. ((IF the dog is rbx the owners may not go looking for it, in fear of the fines they could face)) I have noticed in DOL mentions of some pounds releasing Restricted xs (pups) after TT etc, but they aren't really supposed to do it. I guess some pounds even feel sorry for these dogs and are trying to give the quiet calm ones a break, rather than PTS. I doubt they would let it leave the pound before BA and TT. The first step of the NOI is BA. If they assess the dog as a restricted x then they will be able to advise you right then and there of their intentions. If they decide they might rehome it if it passes TT all well and good, BUT some TT tests are pretty hard and I doubt many dogs would pass. Does the dog look like a restricted x?? Chances are the BA won't have much more of an idea than the pound or yourself, really. Ask the pound if they wil have the dog breed assesssed. Although if you believe the dog is of rbx then ask will they let you have it TT. They really are NOT supposed to rehome rbx, so no there is really no fighting it if they say NO. Hope all goes well for the poor thing.

Sorry to hear you are having some health issues with Mandela but this post made me think. It is funny how somethings errk some people and not others. I don't mind spiders, snakes, maggots or anything similar BUT what really makes my skin crawl is birds!!! If I found a pretty little birdey on my verandah chirping away I think I would want to pour hot water over it and wait for the sun to dry it out. (I wouldn't really but it would give me the same feeling as maggots are giving everyone else) The smaller the bird the yukkier I would feel. Ooohhh.... Hope you fought off the maggots and all is well.

OHHHH, My birthday is in March and I was thinking it was coming soo fast,,,,,now knowing we have to wait till March to hear anything it seems like March is toooo far away. I just watched the Bring Bruce Home video on another thread, and sitting here crying it has made me soo worried about everything.

I have never stated the child was in thew wrong place. All I have said is it is NOT up to the hairdresser (business owner) to be responsible for the children. It is up to the parents. I have 5 children and from before they could walk they knew how to sit and wait, not to touch and how to behave when told. I could take them anywhere and everywhere without many problems. Now I have grandchildren, and while with me, they also wait, don't touch and behave when told. (with their mum it is a different story though)

I totally agree. Thousands of people voice opinions on thousands of issues everyday the world over. The problem with getting action is how those opinions are voiced, and who to. When it comes time to vote in Elections (local, state, federal whatever) Go and speak the the 'contestants (LOL) ask them about their RSPCA stance...Let them if you are not happy and that you will look towards another 'contestant' Start a site. Run a poll on it. Have a forum where people can talk about problems or ask questions (but keep it monitored) Geesh, let your kids do a home made print Tshirt for your pet with a "not happy RSPCA on it." os similar. (wear one yourself) Bumper stickers! (all with web addy of your site) The many millions without pets in Australia would probably have no idea there was an issue with RSPCA. Make it visible to them. (don't give them nagging horrific lectures, point them to your site) Get ALL the Reg Breeders into it. They would hold alot of pull if they banded together. People LOVE sticky beaking and gossip. A new site to read and explore, whether they join or not, they will certainly tell freinds about. The more people who visit (make sure it has a visitors counter) the more the RSPCA and Government will see how many people are in doubt about certian issues. The more they know people are gathering and becoming unsettled, the more likely they will pay attention. I really like some of your ideas. If everyone thought seriously about what could be done JUST in their community and listed them here (or on a site) there would be so many ideas that would also benefit similar communities and I bet most areas could be covered fairly quickly. People don't have to feel like it is hopeless because RSPCA is a large nationwide organisation, and we are too small to cover the nation..WE DO!!! Just the people in here cover ALL states and most areas within each state. We already have nationwide coverage. Now all is needed is more members...LOL There would be hundreds of ways and ideas if everyone could just think and be rational, but it needs to be organised. (not just helter skelter) I notice a few on here who seem to remain cool and level headed (not let emotions run their posts) that would get my vote for organising the beginning of something that may eventually become the BIG BROTHER of animal laws/welfare organisations. Why NOT?? There is clearly a NEED for it.

I really don't think so. Children also regularly taken to shopping centres, carparks, supermarkets, parks etc etc etc it is NOT up to the supermarket owners, car park users, shopping centre employees nor park employees to be responsible for everyones children. It is up to the PARENTS. That is half the reason we have so many uncontrolable, ratbag, no mannered children today,,because the parents don't take any responsibily for them. What ever happened to the parent being responsible for their own children?? Why isn't the parent watching the child?? So business owners now not only have to run a business, deal with customers and accounts but offer FREE babysitting for customers as well??? So that would mean IF the child was about to touch something dangerous, the business owner, (who by your thinking is responsible for the child) has FULL right to walk up and SMACK the child?? Most businesses have things kept up or away and it ISN'T because they are volunteering to take responsibilty for your children it is due to OH&S laws.

Problem isn't the Government or the laws, or that people assume the RSPCA isn't accountable to anyone. Problem is that RSPCA has millions of supporters and not as many non-supporters. In a democratic society everything is won on 'votes' There are more people voting 'for' the RSPCA than 'against" The Government won't take a couple of hundred people serious when a million people are saying the opposite. For over 100 years the R/SPCA has been incontrol of animal welfare in Australia, as noone else wanted to do it. Not the Government, not the community, noone. The RSPCA have had the right to seize animals, enter properties and lay fines/charges for sooo long, basically without question, that it has just become 'habit'. Laws they wanted introduced have rarely been questioned by anyone for 100 years, so Government just began passing them through without much consideration. Another "bad habit" The RSPCA doesn't MAKE laws, they just recommend which ones they think will be beneficial. They supply proof of this in the form of 'supporting documents from the veterinary assocciation', 'scientists', 'animal trainers/behavouralists', 'local council issues and public support' plus a whole heap of other stuff depending on what is being asked for. They gain their power from the General Public. The millions of people who support, donate and recommend them highly. Maybe if you all boycott the companies etc the support them. Get everyone you know to boycott them to. If the companies are losing money, they may pull their financial support. (I know some of you do this but it obviously isn't enough yet, email companies and let them know why you are boycotting) Pick the laws you really think are excessive: get vets/nurses, animal owners, Local Council Members, feed shops, farmers and everyone else you can to sign petitions stating why those laws are excessive, or none productive. Petition Local Councils/Government for meetings to be held (in all towns/cities)with public inclusion to debate/discuss any new laws and ATTEND them. In these threads there are so many issues that keep getting clumped into one theme, but they are issues all maintained, controlled, enforced by different organisations/people. Seperate them, find which department/area they belong to and delegate someone to be 'head joe' of each area. Head Joe can keep a record of viable comments, thoughts, ideas AND look further into what/where/how to go about furthering action. Each supporter can add to the area they feel more comfortable 'researching or investigating' until you have what you feel is enough to take action. A bunch of people loosely firing undocumented emails, phone calls and abuse isn't going to put a dent in an organisation that has been running strong for over 100years JUST in Australia. (gosh knows how long it's been in UK) Take control amd make yourselves an organisation that is organised, IF you really all want to see a change. Be persistant.The Government knows when something goes wrong a whole bunch of people begin complaining, emailing, calling BUT after a few months it fades away. They aren't so much 'ignoring' people, more like waiting for the storm to pass. They know in a month or two after this whole fuss, everything will fade off and all will be quiet again. It takes years for RSPCA to be able to get laws passed, be prepared for it to take years to have them un-passed. Maybe someone could start a site just listing 'honest and true' incidences involving unfair treatment from/by the RSPCA so that the other million people who feel the same could all join or atleast comment on. Make sure it doesn't contain anything 'slanderous' or 'liable' but a place where you can collect and gather stories/information from ALL the other people that don't visit DOL or have any idea that others are upset about the RSPCA. Email the site to 20 of your freinds in chainletter form and ask them to send it to 20 of their freinds etc. Be prepared for alot of nutcases but hopefully you will be able to make a meeting place for all those that feel they have been illtreated. For the most part it really just is a numbers thing. RSPCA has online meeting places for all their members and supporters, are easily found and have a nice frontage. People are attracted to them. These threads are really unattractive (for the most part) and I cannot imagine them gaining much outside support. IF the RSPCA began threads like these on their site (or joined in here) they would LOSE support quickly. I have seen it quoted in here before, that saying "you catch more flies......" Somewhere people need to start using 'honey' to attract the communties attention and gain support.

I have no idea why he is 'really' being held still, but I would guess QLD is using it as a step to try and bring in the bans on AmStaffs, like alot originally planned to. If QLD won this fight, then they would have set a precedent, which could effect the AmStaffs place in BSL. So many Government people/places thought the AmStaff WAS included in the "pit type breed" and it just peeved them when it turned out they weren't. I guess being proven wrong only peeves them more. As the law is now, if your dog is found roaming (or not following restriction laws) and they "suspect" it is a pit type, it can be seized and PTS without even notifying you and you have no right to an appeal. John is on the verge of setting a precedent that could change all that, and offer protection to other AmStaffs. I doubt the Government want to lose the battle knowing it will set their plans backwards and open a door way for others to follow through. Many cheers to John. He may have thought he was just fighting for his dog, but in a way he is fighting for everyones dog.

Guess we have to remember 'attacked' in the eyes of the law doesn't necessarliy have to be a bite. ""A dog attack can include any incident where a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal, whether or not any injury is caused to the animal or person."" I guess media can call it what they like under those terms. Also years ago when my son was about 9yo we found a cat with kittens,,(in my car of all places). As my son went to get in it launched at him, hitting him squarely in the face. It never scratched OR bit him, but left him with a bleeding nose and fat lip. IF a cat can do that to a 9yo boy, then imagine the blood a dog could draw on a toddler by jumping and head butting her. My GSDX has done it to me a few times when she was younger. I would bend to pat as she jumped and bang, fats lips for eveyone.

Hi Bully, I cannot say for sure in this case but as I have mentioned on other posts, when they set BSL, some areas included "Pit Type Breeds". Their thought was that Am Staffs were included in this "Pit Type Breed" (QLD was one of those places) How often do you see debates on whether Am Staff is actually a pitbull? Thousands of Am Staffs have been PTS as they have been regarded as pits. Thank heavens this guy has been in a position to fight for the rights of the Am Staff.

Lillim, We once found a really nice looking, freindly dog (some type of Collie) running around our place. I live on a corner with a main busy intersection so called him over and put him on a lead. He had a collar with tag, so I rang the guy and he said "Oh sorry, his name is XYZ can you just keep him there as I'm at work and I'll grab him in about 40 minutes on my way home" No worries, he was a lovely dog and very smart so we got a long leash, some water and played with him out the front. This was at about 4pm. About 5.30pm I rang again and the guy explained his wife had called at the last minute and needed him to pick her up from work too, they shouldn't be longer than 1/2 hour or so.. No worries, back outside to watch the dog. At 7pm I ring the guy AGAIN...get this!!! he says ""Well, my wife and I decided to grab something to eat before coming home as we have both had long days at work. We just didn't know the RESTAURANT would be so busy"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At about 7.10pm I sent the guy a TXT telling him just to knock when he got here as I had put his dog out the back with my GSDX and Pitbull while I cooked OUR dinner as my kids had a long day and were hungry too. No kidding he was here in less than 10 minutes!!! The restaurant they were at was only about 2 blocks from my house!!! and they didn't even bother picking up their dog first!!!! Some people just have no shame!!!!!!!!!

APBTX's owned by dickheads are the worst kind. Any dog owned by a dickhead is the worst kind. I would be giving him a warning and letting him know next time you will ring the ranger. Why wait until it's too late and something does happen?? Not all dogs walk around snarling and growling all their life before they attack. Most appear to be normal happy dogs. All we need is for that dog to be hit by a car or get hurt and some poor fool try to pick her up or help her and she snaps out of pain and we will have another "PITBULL ATTACK" headline. I can see it now "Lady tries to help injured pitbull and it rips her face" IF he has had his cross Temp Tested and it passed then nothing should happen to it and it should be treated like any other dog. IF he hasn't had it Temp Tested and he is hiding the fact and registered it as a StaffyX, then he isn't doing anyone any favours, especially not the APBT or Staffy owners. IF he has it registerd as a APBTX, then it is bound by restriction laws and he should be following them. Obviously he just doesn't care and he should care before something happens to his dogs.

Hi Tybrax, Where did you get the Restricted sign? I have never seen one, although I haven't ever really looked. When I was going through my divorce a few years ago, my ex bought a sign that read ""Forget about the bloody dog. Beware of the wife"" It had a pic of a little dog looking on dumbfounded, as some mad woman with her hair in curlers attacked some poor guy. I thought it was cute so I hung it at the front door. Someone stole it so I guessed there was another guy getting divorced in need of it..LOL

In Queanbeyan, the houses with Restricted Dogs are by law required to have the Dangerous Dog sign displayed. (not any other sign) From what Diablo said SA is the same as here as far that is concerned. As far as Queanbeyan is corncerned, if your pit cross did NOT pass the Temp Test then it could be dangerous to the community. It is up to the owner to take precations and warn people before there is an instance. It is more a worry that the dog will attack other dogs/animals, but really I don't see many dogs who would pass some of the Temp Tests, whether they are pits ot not. Most people have no idea what the red/yellow collar means so it seems silly to have it as a warning. There are more houses here with Dangerous Dog signs where the people don't even own a dog, then there are houses with restricted dogs displaying signs. Most in Queanbeyan hid their dogs instead of following the restriction laws and sometimes it appears there wouldn't be a pit around here for miles. Since restriction was brought in in Queanbeyan I haven't bumped into anyone/or heard of anyone with a legally registered/microchipped, pit/cross. I know they must be around somewhere but they are certainly hard to find. They need to educate the general public about restriction and the warnings. The collars would be a good place to start. I think they should also make everyone with Dangerous Dog signs--who do NOT have a dog or a dangerous dog--remove their signs. What is the point in making people with restricted dogs have the DD sign, if the general public see it as a 'bluff' on most houses and ignore the sings anyway?? Pretty silly really!!

I wouldn't be so sure about not rousing on him after the fact. I guess it depends on how good his memory is. When we would find something chewed we'd line up all 3 dogs, hold up whatever is chewed and ask "who did this?" quite sternly. We'd always get 2 dogs smiling and tails wagging and 1 dog trying to sneak away with head down. One dog chewed for the fun of it, boredom I guess. We just made sure she had heaps of toys, bones and kept an eye on her inside. Our other dog chewed out of anxiety. She only ever chewed the 'last thing' I touched before I left the house. I went through so many remotes and phones before I realised. She never chewed the kids stuff or anything they touched or anything else in the house, just the last thing I touched which was usually the remote to turn off TV or the phone to ring a taxi. Thankfully both of them stopped as they got older. The outside dog never even went through a stage of chewing (she was inside as a puppy) but she loves ripping stuff up.

The hardest thing with doing yards is making sure there is nowhere for the little buggers to hide. Clearing any wood piles, compost heaps, leaves/grasses etc under trees and shrubs. All the dark moist little areas fleas like to hide and play about. Remember to spray under houses, kennels, sheds etc because as soon as the fleas know something is coming they will head for the hills until it is safe. Making sure you use something IN the house to stop them heading inside to avoid sprays etc. (as well as doing any pets at the same time) Depending on where you live, using something regularly (in house, yard and pets), until there are no signs of fleas for a few weeks can free you from them forever. (Of course farms etc are almost impossible) Certain plants (herbs), and natural oils are great deterents and really great if you clear them out or get them to a minimum. Helps prevent them coming back.

Hiya, I am a really big natural remedy freak. If you just google- natural remedy fleas- you will find alot of idea for different areas (house, furniture, pets etc) There is one site called Grandma's Home Remedies which is really good, and usually involves stuff you would already have in your home. Good Luck!!

I've never had an issue with dogs but had a son who was horribley illergic to washing powder. Started as soon as I brought him home from hospital. I had to rinse everything in amonia, then rinse again, as it was the only thing that would remove the traces of washing powder. I think white cleaning vinegar will do the same thing. At hospital they washed my son in Lux Flakes (which I thought was weird) Then he began oatmeal baths. Which was an oatlmeal mix in a stocking that was tried to the tap. Cleaning vinegar and bi card (as someone mentioned) is good. I use this for almost all my household cleaning. Brown vinegar + water is good for dark carpets, toilets and even dandruff. Bi card is a natural smell absorber. Put it in shoes/boots, sprinkle on carpets bedding, then shake off or vacuum. Sometimes when washing powders are assumed to be the culprit, it can actually be the softener. So if you are using a concentrate with built in softener that might be the problem. Softener is made to stay in the clothes to keep them soft. When hot or sweaty the softener residue can release from the material causing irritation. Wish they had those washing 'balls' out when my son was born.

Yup Chris, It is weird how rules/laws change from state to state and even council to council. It is always best to contact the council for the area in charge. Even for things not concerning dogs!! I live on a corner block and people are always cutting through my front yard instead of walking around. I began building a rockery out the front and some idiot cutting through in the middle of the night tripped over it. They weren't hurt but very abusive and threw one of the rocks at the front of the house, cracking the wall. Ends up I should either have larger trees/shrubs around the edge of the rockery so people cannot trip on the rocks, OR provide lighting out the front so they can see the rockery, OR put in a fence along the whole yard to stop them walking through. Nice to know my yard is a public walkway!!

Oh my!! I know some times you can feel silly and I know I would looks silly most of the times when training but I pass so many dogs that are not trained (AT ALL) that I just don't care how silly I look any more. I have bumped into more dogs that could NOT sit on command, than bumped into dogs that can. When I pass people who have to yell and scream and swing sticks to try and gets their dogs to behave it just makes me more willing to go out and look silly. Keep up the good work!! Sounds like Daisy was focused enough to show the other dog and owner up. Gooooo Daisy..

I hope these people were in ACT or NT because pits are supposed to be desexed in every other state. Some people just have no clue

Hi menacebear, I have a gdsxrotty (6yo bitch) her name is Menace... You have wonderful looking dogs and Bundy is a real looker...bet he gets all the girls..

I think it is hard the way small parts of the laws vary from state to state.(even Council to Council sometimes) Where I am, if you don't have the signs and someone enters your yard and is attacked you are in for it. IF you DO have the signs and someone enters your yard, anything that happens, it is their fault for trespassing. Same if someone is trying to 'provoke' your Dangerous or Restricted Dog, knowing that is it Dangerous or Restricted, it is then THEIR fault if the dog attacks. Our girl is 6yo and I was talking to my neighbour yesterday and mentioned how I thought my girl wouldn't be with us much longer and she asked which one, I said the Pit Bull. (Thinking I would hear a sigh of relief from her) She said she didn't even know we had a pit bull..LOL.

Hi SBT, Yep, the lady at Nowra is wonderful, although limited in some areas. She is helpful though and has good ideas/advice. I keep stating NSW State Companion Animals Act,,,,,as whenever (not just here but other places) I just post Companion Animals Act, I get people from all over Australia and even overseas stating they could NOT find it for their area. Hence I keep stating NSW so they now it is a NSW thing I am refering to and it helps them google it. Saying DLG doesn't really help many people as it brings up all kinds of weird stuff when googled. Sorry if my way of phrasing things is upsetting to you but I just find stating it the way I do makes it easier for others to google and find, so that they may read up on stuff for themselves, and follow all the related links that they might use. I had tried putting in a link in the first or second post but I don't think it worked and I have no idea how to do it,,,,so I just say the name of the area "NSW", the section it is found in "State" and the site page/reference "Companion Animals"