Qld Any News?

[GeckoTree]

Any news on the Qld state governments decision on that court ruling about amstaffs? It's been a while.

Edited July 8, 2010 by GeckoTree

[dogbesotted]

well probably just waiting till they think it has died a natural death and nothing will change

H

or am i too cynical ??

[dogbesotted]

what has changed?? just been reading thru other thread

H

[Stitch]

I believe a decision was made today.

It was announced at a Dog Show but I was in the ring and couldn't hear it all.

Oops!

Edited July 31, 2010 by STITCH

[Teebs]

hang on, i THINK tybrax had something on facebook, i will go look

ETA Dont worry, just saw the other thread

Edited July 31, 2010 by Teebs

[blackdog]

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle has today (31/7/10) announced she will amend the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 to clarify once and for all that American Staffordshire terriers are not classified as “restricted dogs”.

This follows a Supreme Court case in April, Gold Coast City Council v. Chivers, which ruled the Amstaff involved was the same as a restricted American Pit bull.

Ms Boyle said pit bulls have been prohibited by many Queensland Councils under their local laws, listed as “restricted” under State legislation and banned from importation by the Commonwealth.

There are an estimated 4,000 Amstaffs in Queensland, some 230 on the Gold Coast.

“The amendment will state categorically that for the purposes of the Act, Amstaffs will not be considered the same as the restricted pit bulls,” Ms Boyle said.

“This will give Amstaff owners especially on the Gold Coast certainty about their rights and obligations yet it will give Queenslanders peace of mind that the legislation’s tough penalties remain for irresponsible pet owners whose dogs cause fear or harm,” she said.

“While it was never the State’s intention for the Act to classify Amstaffs as restricted dogs, the recent court case has meant the amendment is now necessary.”

It is generally accepted among experts that Amstaffs and pit bulls descended from Staffordshire bull terrier-type dogs however the restricted pit bulls were bred specifically as fighting animals.

Amstaffs on the other hand were bred almost exclusively as show and companion dogs, widely

recognised as trainable and family-friendly pets.

Amstaffs are even used as therapy dogs including in hospitals. Well-known Brisbane Amstaff Nudie, owned by Mrs Melissa Greenall, visits aged-care facilities, special care and children’s wards.

“Importantly the proposed amendment to the legislation will not compromise community safety as owners of all dogs, including Amstaff owners, will be held accountable for the behaviour of their charges,” said the Minister.

“The same rules apply to all dog owners and you will feel the full weight of the law if your dog behaves badly or causes harm.”

If a dog bites someone, Ms Boyle said a fine of up to $30,000 can apply under the Act and the dog can be seized by Council and declared as dangerous.

“If a dog bails someone up on the street, a fine of $2,000 can apply and Council can declare the animal as menacing,” she said.

“Special provisions apply to animals declared as dangerous or menacing, such as fencing, muzzling and kennel requirements.

“I take this opportunity to thank Dogs Queensland President Barry Vickers in particularly and his team who have worked with departmental officers in sorting out the confusions flowing from the recent court decision and this amendment will put the matter to rest.”

[KOE]

thank the lord for small mercies

I hope Tango will be allowed home.

[WreckitWhippet]

http://www.cccq.org.au/News.aspx?id=240

Looks like Dogs QLD put in the hard yards and have possibly secured the future for the ANKC registered dogs.

[GeckoTree]

C & P'd, sometimes links become dead ends.

Latest News

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Home About Us Latest News

Media Release - American Staffordshire Terriers

1 August 2010

Dogs Media Release

Future of American Staffordshire Terriers Dogs no longer in doubt.

After an intensive campaign by Dogs Queensland, the Queensland Government Minister, the Honourable Desley Boyle acted to end the uncertainty in identification of the American Staffordshire Terrier to the enormous relief of dog owners and breeders throughout Australia.

In March this year (2010), the Supreme Court of Queensland handed down a ruling in the application brought by Ms. Kylie Chivers in respect to her dog “Tango” against the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC). Honourable Justice Martin decided that her American Staffordshire terrier was in fact an American Pit Bull Terrier Dog (Supreme Court of Queensland (Brisbane) BS 6396 of 2007 Chivers-v-Gold Coast City Council).

There are more than 200 internationally recognised breeds of pure bred, pedigreed dogs owned and bred by Dogs Queensland members and these dogs have many generations of recorded registered pedigree data. American Staffordshire Terriers (often called AmStaffs) are a recognised breed and these dogs are bred specifically with the purpose of improving breed type and temperament. American Staffordshire Terriers are now far removed from what the community considers to be the typical “Pit Bull”.

In 1991, the Australian Government decided to restrict the importation of American Pit Bull Terriers (along with 4 other identified dog breeds) into this country. This decision has been the subject of much criticism by dog enthusiasts over many years because it is generally believed by the majority of knowledgeable dog authorities that specific breeds should not be banned but the actions by a small number of aggressive dogs should be penalised. Indeed, aggressive dogs are typically the result of poor training and socialisation brought about by owners not understanding and accepting their responsibilities.

BAN THE DEED AND NOT THE BREED

All Queensland Local Authorities have banned the keeping of American Pit Bull Terriers (and Pit Bull terrier types) since 1991 and following the Honourable Justice Martin’s decision, the Gold Coast City Council are now refusing to register AmStaffs. Clearly the GCCC are interpreting the Supreme Court decision so that AmStaffs are now a prohibited breed, even though legally it may be argued that this is not the case.

American Staffordshire Terriers are a distinct and separate breed which, whilst originating from a similar genetic background, were developed with an entirely different purpose to that of the American Pit Bull Terrier. That purpose was to produce a well socialised physically sound dog suitable to urban living.

Dogs Queensland Government & Agency Liaison Officer, Mark Sheppard said that “our responsible Dogs Queensland members / breeders have worked tirelessly over many years to achieve this purpose working at all times within a clearly defined breed standard”.

This unexpected Supreme Court decision seems to be contrary to all of the anecdotal evidence of our members / breeders and this may be supported by the scientific evidence of Genetic Technologies Ltd (a well respected and highly regarded Human and Forensic and Animal Genetics & Diagnostics firm). Whilst it remains to be proven, Genetic Technologies Ltd are confident and maintain that genetic testing will “accurately identify significant numbers of breeds based on breed specific signatures.The American Staffordshire Terrier has shown to have its own unique breed signature”.

In early April 2010, the President of Dogs Queensland, Barry Vickers, along with the Government & Agency Liaison Officer Mark Sheppard, met with representatives from the Department of Infrastructure and Planning (Local Government & Special Delivery Group) to discuss the possible ramifications of this Supreme Court decision and what effect, if any it may have on our responsible members. In particular, they discussed the implications that any future management strategy could have on the estimated 1,500 pedigreed registered American Staffordshire Terriers in Queensland and the possible risk of a “domino effect” across all of the estimated 8,000 registered AmStaffs Australia wide.

Extensive consultation in the nearly four months since the Supreme Court decision has occurred between Dogs Queensland, who were fully supported by American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Queensland and their President, Melissa Greenall and the Queensland Government.

Dogs Queensland President, Barry Vickers congratulates the Honourable Minister Desley Boyle (Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships) and her staff for their decision to recognise the American Staffordshire Terriers (AmStaff) as a breed in its own right.

The Honourable Minister Desley Boyle, acting responsibly and in consultation with Dogs Queensland, has announced that she will amend the Queensland Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 by acknowledging that American Staffordshire Terriers are not classified as “restricted dogs”.

This good decision was achieved in a consultative partnership between the Queensland State Government and Dogs Queensland, thereby allowing American Staffordshire Terriers to be recognised in this State as they are internationally.

Dogs Queensland President, Barry Vickers said that Queensland State Minister Desley Boyle has shown great wisdom and demonstrated good governance by acting so responsibly by seeking to correct this anomaly.

Click Here to be taken directly to the Minister's Media Release.

Issued by Rob Harrison,

Secretary / General Manager

[lmwvic]

1 August 2010

Dogs Media Release

BAN THE DEED AND NOT THE BREED

All Queensland Local Authorities have banned the keeping of American Pit Bull Terriers (and Pit Bull terrier types) since 1991 and following the Honourable Justice Martin’s decision, the Gold Coast City Council are now refusing to register AmStaffs. Clearly the GCCC are interpreting the Supreme Court decision so that AmStaffs are now a prohibited breed, even though legally it may be argued that this is not the case.

Issued by Rob Harrison,

Secretary / General Manager

Honestly how about they get their facts right for once!

All Queensland Local Authorities DID NOT ban the keeping of APBTs (and types) in 1991. The bans started in Queensland after Barbara Stringer died in December 1995 as a result of a dog attack in Toowoomba and not all Councils have banned. The Australian Government banned purebred APBTs from importation in 1991.

Now as far as their 'BAN THE DEED NOT THE BREED' refer to the following snippets from the then Queensland Canine Control Council's submission with respect to the original Queensland State Legislation to restrict in 2001.

............. and I don't even live in Queensland for 'dogs' sake.

Edited August 3, 2010 by lmwvic

[GeckoTree]

I know, not many qld councils have banned them at all, they are a regulated dog as the state says. Well they certainly arnt banned in my council. Most the prohibition places are in the arse end of te SEQ section. SEQ is not Qld lol. They like to think it though LMAO.