Restricted Dog Permits

[Greytmate]

Restricted dog permits

19 June 2009

Owners of dogs which are classified as prohibited imports will need a permit from Moreton Bay Regional Council to keep their animals after July 1, 2009.

Under new Queensland Government laws, American Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, dogo Argentino and Presa Canario dog breeds may be kept under strict conditions and only with a council-issued permit.

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Lifestyle and Amenity spokesperson, Cr David Dwyer said the move to a permit system would deliver a consistent state-wide approach to restricted dogs.

“These changes are non-negotiable, they’ll affect only a small minority of dog owners in the Moreton Bay region, but those ignoring the new permit arrangements can face fines of up to $30,000,” he said.

“The move to a permit system is not a green light for people to rush out and buy a pit bull.

“The breeding, sale and trade of pit bulls remains prohibited.

“What the new Queensland Government legislation will do is tighten the definition of restricted and regulated dogs and improve the ability of local councils to manage these dogs in the community.

“It should also clear up once and for all some of the confusion surrounding the identification of these types of dogs.”

From July 1, 2009, owners of restricted breeds must make a formal application to council for a permit and follow strict conditions, including:

Keeping the dog in a secure escape-proof enclosure with an official Restricted Dog warning sign at all entrances to the property.

The dog must wear a registration tag.

The dog must be muzzled and on a leash at all times when in public.

The dog must be microchipped and desexed.

Owners of restricted breeds who no longer want to keep their dogs must surrender them to council.

It is illegal to give the dogs away, or abandon them.

Restricted dogs incur an annual fee of $360 which includes council registration and the permit to keep the animal.