Survey Regarding Dangerous Dogs

[Amika]

If the dog has already been declared dangerous, shouldn't it be contained where there is no possible way of escape anyway?

If a dog is declared dangerous it is to be kept in a run that is fully enclosed so that children may not poke fingers through. They are to be muzzled at all times, may not even run free in their own back yard with or without a muzzle. If outside their enclosure they must be on lead (even to toilet) with a muzzle on at all times. They may be kept inside as long as the house has no windows that the council consider breakable by the dog. Not much of a life especially if the dog is not genuinely dangerous.

[Nannas]

What about question 2, should a classified dangerous dog be destroyed if it is caught on the loose.

I said Yes.

Why? A dog can be declared as a "Dangerous Dog" if it rushes someone or threatens them. It's too late for me to go looking up the wording of the law, but I recall the interpretation could be something along the lines of "the dog jumped up on a person; this frightened the person; the person ergo felt threatened". This is the problem with the law : it is too open to interpretation by each person who reads it - people ASSUME "Dangerous Dog" means the dog has shown real/genuine signs of being dangerous. That's not necessarily the case.

BUT Erny,,,you have the chance to NOT declare your dog Dangerous.....and have years or months to do it...

All you have to do is sit your dog down for the test,,,,,,same as they put pitbullsx's thorugh...if at anytime you dog passes it is NOT declared Dangerous.....but a pit is there whether we like it or not....A pitbull never had the chance to be declared NOT dangerous,,,,just the crosses...

NOW people with roaming unregistered dogs are going through what I have been in,,, worse for over 5 years..

IF you really do NOT support BSL make it apparent in ALL your posts,,,,,because people facing BSL have been facing WORSE for years....too bad if others have to face it now...

[Nannas]

What about question 2, should a classified dangerous dog be destroyed if it is caught on the loose.

I said Yes.

Why? A dog can be declared as a "Dangerous Dog" if it rushes someone or threatens them. It's too late for me to go looking up the wording of the law, but I recall the interpretation could be something along the lines of "the dog jumped up on a person; this frightened the person; the person ergo felt threatened". This is the problem with the law : it is too open to interpretation by each person who reads it - people ASSUME "Dangerous Dog" means the dog has shown real/genuine signs of being dangerous. That's not necessarily the case.

Sorry, I admit I don't know what is required to declare a dog as dangerous, I assumed it would be relevant to the term.

My reasoning is that I walk two Staffy's every night and coming across this type of dog could be detrimental to all of us. I also see kids out playing as well.

I figure a classified dangerous dog should be well secured, if it is not it is a danger to kids and others, if the owners have let it escape once they may again.

I'm afraid Erny is right on this one, a dog does not have to do very much at all to be declared dangerous, they do not have to be "aggressive", they do not have to be "dog agressive", the "rush" may be in excitement rather than agression and there is no distinction between the two and if the person or animal involved is frightened then its a "rush" and is enough to declare a dog dangerous. The "council" will declare the dog "dangerous" so that if something in the future was to happen their arse is covered.......the dog may not be genuinely aggressive or dangerous. Before a council declares a dog dangerous they should have to do a temperament test of the dog.....or at least meet the dog in question themselves!!

Then VIC must suck,,because in NSW your dog must be UNDER CONTROL at all times,,,,,,which means NO rushing...

Think of it from the rushee points of view...

A dog they do not know rushes at them.

Train your dogs ya idiots...your dog should NEVER EVER rush,,get close enough,,,or bother ANYONE....

You are the dog owner,,,you own the dog,,,,,what do you thinkl gives you rights for your dog to annoy people????

No wonder VIC laws are so far behing.....

Forget the dog,,lets do the owner.....

I think you are all fooked if ya think your dog rushing people is OK....

Running at,,harrassing or anything....it is still fooked up....

Your DOG is your dog,,,,,not everyone likes dogs,,,,CONTROL your dog,,,,how can your dog rush someone if it is under control??????

Really??????

[SpikesPuppy]

The more I read the more I want OUT of this state and out of the bloody country. Who's with me??? We can pool our monies together and buy an island paradise.....

We own one of the biggest, most loveable idiots of a dog. She's a nutcase, when she sees someone, she doesn't rush them (Unless she knows them or they call her), but she crouches back, curls her lip (in a grin NOT a snarl... she's a smooth Collie... it's what they do!!!), and her ENTIRE body wriggles and her front paws dance on the ground. Occasionally she "woo woo woos". She LOVES people, even if they are across the street they get this greeting. I understand some people may find it frightening but she is kept on a tight lead so unless the person came within a foot of her they wont get jumped on. Unfortunately, under the proposed law- this behaviour could be misinterpreted as rushing

She IS being trained to be more relaxed around strangers (but to those who know her- too damn bad haha), but it's taking time because of her enthusiasm.

My Border terrier also loves people... he doesn't jump on people unless they say hello to him (or they visit the house- in our house, you're gonna get bowled over. If you don't like it- f-off). But if he sees someone he fancies, he dances up on his hind legs. However he is under control, on a loose leash- he's just showing off his trick. I fear that this too could be seen as rushing by the wrong person. How dare a dog be well socialised and happy I am fortunate that he is quite reliable at coming to heel and dropping, even when excited, although he is usually dancing on his toes, even if laying down

The thing is, who determines what exactly rushing is??? Is a happy dog who wags it's tail and grins at you (Collies, Dallies, Aussies are particularly known for this display) considered rushing?? Or does the dog have to exhibit dangerous behaviours??? Is a Chihuahua who rushes someone going to be treated the same as a Rottweiler who does this??? Or a Golden Retriever etc. Or what happens if a small child rushes at your dog and it jumps up on them in greeting??? Or it gets a fright and swings around etc.

[Tilly]

There was a case ages ago about a dog who was in a fully secure yard, elderly lady was walking by, dog barks, lady gets a fright, falls over and hurts her hip ... dog is declared dangerous.

If you dog chases the ducks as the local park ... it can be declared dangerous.

I think they should have different levels of "dangerous" ... human agressive then have it muzzled and secure run, dog agressive then under effective control when walked and maybe muzzled (depends if the owner can control it), other animal aggressive then it needs to be under effective control at all times.

[SpikesPuppy]

Under the law, my girl would actually be a DD- she killed one of my pet rats She has also caught and killed wild mice... I believe the law is "ANY animal".....

[helen]

Dogs Victoria have some suggestions for this survey http://www.dogsvictoria.org.au/Content.asp...7&SubID=398