Don't try own a Pit Bull in Victoria

[captain]

I am embarrassed to say ........ I live in this narrow minded state.

OWNERS of pit bull terriers face $500 fines unless the dogs are kept in escape-proof and childproof enclosures.

Under tough new laws, which come into effect tomorrow, owners of pit bull terriers will also have to display warning signs at their properties or risk $200 fines.

They also must have their dogs muzzled and leashed in public places.

But the treasurer of the American Pit Bull Terrier Club of Australia, Nigel Norton, yesterday vowed that he and many other pit bull owners would deliberately break some of the rules.
"Why the hell should we be forced to have our dogs with Hannibal Lecter muzzles on and all this other s--- when everybody else is totally ignoring them?" he said.

Mr Norton said that only when councils properly enforced other rules, such as those requiring that dogs be leashed in public places, would he abide by the new regulations.

But Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron yesterday warned pit bull terrier owners to obey the rules or face sanctions.
He said that the public could call for even tougher laws if pit bull terrier owners flouted the rules and their dogs then injured or killed someone.

Mr Cameron said the rules were introduced to provide a safer environment for the community.

"I believe these regulations balance the need for public safety, the welfare of restricted breed dogs and the rights of their owners," he said.

"They provide tough but fair measures to address the issues associated with managing restricted breed dogs."

Under the regulations, owners of pit bull terriers have to build escape-proof and child-proof fences at least 1.8 metres high, have brightly-coloured warning signs on their properties, and have their dogs micro-chipped for identification.

Owners who wish to appeal against a restricted breed declaration will also have to pay $200 to go before a dog declaration review panel.

The regulations complement laws introduced in late 2001 that made pit bull terriers a restricted breed.
The laws also increased the maximum penalties for owners of dogs that attack from $500 to $12,000, or six months jail.

[gkristian]

Originally posted by captain

OWNERS of pit bull terriers face $500 fines unless the dogs are kept in escape-proof and childproof enclosures.

Under tough new laws, which come into effect tomorrow, owners of pit bull terriers will also have to display warning signs at their properties or risk $200 fines.

They also must have their dogs muzzled and leashed in public places.

[/B]

I live in Hobart Tasmania and i hers about those new laws. It's just not fear for the dogs.

[binka_nugget]

that's so cruel...to confine a dog...or take it out but MUZZLE IT? People will stare at the pit...thinking it's a bad dog or something. I hate that! I LOVE pits...and also planned on moving to victoria...(Shh..it's a secret no one knows yet)...AGGG I hate breedism.

[Uabassoon]

I never actually met a Pit until I moved to Arizona, I wasn't scared of them or anything since my family always had chows (which also have a bad reputation). But going to the dog park here in Tucson Pits are very popular and they are so friendly, I love them so much. While I'll admit I'd never want one, but it's only because they have too much energy, my dog is VERY lazy and I love that because I'm lazy too. But I love seeing them when I go to the dog park. They are such goofy dogs, they always look so happy with their tounge flapping and it's obvious that they are always so willing to please their owners. It's sad that people still think badly of them.

[cloverfdx]

as a fellow victorian these new laws worry me terribly as a owner of a rottweiler cattle dog x , my dog is in the so called "dangerous dog" catagory even though she is lovely, obeidience trained, well cared for, well socialised she is in danger of breedism and having to suffer from being muzzeled and leashed wherever she goes

well to all victorian pitti owner i am sorry that our state(and country) is run by a pack of ignorant idiots who would not no a "pittbull" from a pomeranian ~Grrrrrrrrrrrr~ and know what wonderfull loyal animals these dogs are.

to all the dogs im sorry it has come to this ~hugs to u all~

[KYS]

These type of laws also scare me.
We also have "dangerous breed" movements here in the US.
It has already been proven that it can
be any breed that has the potential to be dangerous thus
pacific breed bands would not work.
You can thank humans who use these types of dogs
for criminal use, breeders who breed aggression,
and stupid owners for not being
responsible, that is why the Pits and other
certain breeds have a bad rap.

[primabella]

How ridiculous! It's so stupid. Breedism Sucks.

and also planned on moving to victoria...(Shh..it's a secret no one knows yet)

lol, all the way to Australia, Ashley?

[Andie]

Originally posted by captain

OWNERS of pit bull terriers face $500 fines unless the dogs are kept in escape-proof and childproof enclosures.

Under tough new laws, which come into effect tomorrow, owners of pit bull terriers will also have to display warning signs at their properties or risk $200 fines.

They also must have their dogs muzzled and leashed in public places.

That is the same laws getting ready to be passed around here. I find it quite stupid and refuse to move into that area (thank God my town officials still have some sense.

"I believe these regulations balance the need for public safety, the welfare of restricted breed dogs and the rights of their owners," he said.

"They provide tough but fair measures to address the issues associated with managing restricted breed dogs."

WHATEVER

[binka_nugget]

Originally posted by primabella
How ridiculous! It's so stupid. Breedism Sucks.



lol, all the way to Australia, Ashley?

lol well depends..I'm totally in love with this guy that moved there lol...and he knows but anyways...it's like 50 50 chance. I wanna become a dog trainer here...I was thinking maybe for a year or two.

[moosmom]

So, you think Victoria is bad with it's new pit bull law??

In Detroit, there are over 10,000 pitbulls, MOST of which are trained and used for fighting. It is a major epidemic. Any pitbulls that are picked up by Animal Control or brought into the Michigan Humane Society are immediately euthanized. They could be puppies with the most beautiful personalities. Doesn't matter. They are killed.

Be greatful for the laws you have and thankful for the laws (like the one above) that you don't.

Do I think pitbulls and rotties have gotten a bad rap?? Absolutely! I think the only way that a pitbull or rottie can become dangerous is when the owners don't properly train them and give them the love they need. They are a product of their environment.

The Dearborn Animal Shelter is the only shelter in the state of Michigan that actually rescues pitbull and rottie (puppies) from the Humane Society. They go through rigorous behavioral testing and obedience training before they are even considered for placement.

The placement itself is very strict. They do a background check on everyone who applies to adopt a puppy. By that I mean, a police check, they talk with neighbors, and check on vet and employment references. It's one of the best programs around.

[Tonya]

My old dog Rosco, got lucky. He was a pit-sharpei. The pound puts all pits to sleep here too, but for some reason they gave his litter a chance. A friend of mine just bought a house in the bay area (California). His homeowners insurance required that he put 8 ft high fences with special gates and he had to pay a higher premium cause of his pits. Its sad how prejudice people are. Before Rosco started having problems, I could have both him and my australian x off leash. No one would say anything about the aussie being off leash, but they'd flip out about Rosco. Unfortunatly in Rosco's case he did wind up to be an aggressive dog, but I think it was the trauma from parvo and his broken leg, not being a pit. All that typing hurt...just had shoulder surgury. Miss this room already!

[kingrattus]

Honestly, I love the fence idea, but not only for pitts but ALL dogs. If an area is having problems with a certain breed, I believe an assement should be done to all the problem dog breeds through obidence schools. If the dog is super aggressive & tries to kill anything then that dog only should be labled, not the rest.

I know Victoria has alot of bad people in it & its the bad people making bad dogs. Its just too easy to turn, pitts, rotties, dobes, & germans into attack dogs.

For crying out loud, a few yrs back a black lab attacked a young girl & tore her to shreds, she'll never look pretty again without yrs of sergery. & honestly who many people have been chased, snarled at, bitten, attacked by smaller &/or so called friendly breed dogs?? I have many times...

I've been bitten by a border collie & needed 7 stiches in my ear (I was 4 or younger).
A short haired collie tried to eat me through my own fence, that was a super mean dog, she even bit Max for no reason.
I live with a very aggressive aussie/lab dog, shes a horrible animal.
In the past 3 months I have been chased, snarled at & barked at by a Jack Russle, I don't fear the dog only because I can boot it like a foot ball if it ever came too close.

Has anyone else noticed that tiny dogs tend to be more aggressive then any other dog (doesn't matter what breed), but no one really cares??

I gotta cut it off here, need sleep

[Cisco's Mom]

Originally posted by moosmom
Do I think pitbulls and rotties have gotten a bad rap?? Absolutely! I think the only way that a pitbull or rottie can become dangerous is when the owners don't properly train them and give them the love they need. They are a product of their environment.

Moonsmom I absolutely agree with you! These laws are a sad product of the human race!!!

[CountryWolf07]

Wow..