Quote:
Councils will be able to kill unregistered dangerous dogs found roaming the streets, without owners having the right to appeal under a new law flagged by the Victorian government.
Following an attack by an American pit bull at the weekend, Premier John Brumby said on Monday new legislation will be introduced into parliament in 2010.
Under the proposed changes, owners of restricted breeds, which include pit bull terrier breeds, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro, will lose their right to appeal to the courts if their dog is unregistered and seized by a local council.
"If there is a dangerous dog breed, if there is a restricted dog and it's running along the street, you know, with no collar and not muzzled, that dog will be taken in by council and it will be put down," Mr Brumby told reporters.
"This is a stronger policy, it's a tougher policy, there will be appeal rights that will be removed so the power will be in the hands of councils to make sure they can deal with dangerous dogs that reoffend or restricted breeds that are not complying with the terms of their registration."
Fines will also increase for owners who do not register their restricted breeds of dogs or who breach the terms of the registration.
"We will put a little bit more on that again to make sure that the community understands loudly and clearly the responsibilities that go with owning a dangerous dog or a restricted breed dog."
An American pit bull killed a small dog and injured a man in an attack in Melbourne's north on Sunday night.
The RSPCA's Victorian president has renewed calls for American pit bull terriers to be banned in Australia after a vicious attack in Melbourne left a man in hospital and two dogs dead.
Dr Hugh Wirth says the dogs are a menace and are not suitable as pets for anyone.
In the latest attack, police and paramedics were called to Arundel Avenue in Reservoir, in Melbourne's north, where a roaming pit bull attacked a man walking his two small dogs about 7.20pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
The pit bull killed one of the smaller dogs and injured the other, then clamped down on the man's hand when he tried to intervene.
The dog's jaw remained locked on the man's hand for more than 20 minutes.
The dog wasn't shot but paramedics had to use "their resources" to put it down.
Dr Wirth told AAP on Monday that pit bull terriers should never have been introduced on to Australian shores.
"They are time bombs waiting for the right circumstances," Dr Wirth said.
"The American pit bull terrier is lethal because it was a breed that was developed purely for dog fighting, in other words killing the opposition.
"They should never have been allowed into the country. They are an absolute menace.
"What that dog did to that gentleman is no surprise.
"There is no reason at all for the dog in the country.
"They are not suitable pets for anybody."
Dr Wirth said local councils were not doing enough to enforce strict laws on pit bull terriers.
Restrictions for owners include confining the dogs to their property, ensuring the property is escape-proof, while a signpost warning of the dog's existence must be displayed outside the property.
The dog must also be desexed, with the RSPCA hopeful this will eventually wipe out the breed.
"While the dog breed is allowed to remain in the country, unless the law is strictly enforced, we are going to see more and more and more of these attacks," Dr Wirth said.
"Local government has got to spend some money going around identifying these dogs and forcing the issue."
The victim, a 30-year-old Reservoir man, was taken to the Northern Hospital with a severe laceration.
The owner of the pit bull, a 25-year-old Reservoir man, has been interviewed by police.
The latest attack comes after a toddler was scarred for life when she was attacked by a pit bull in Melbourne's west earlier this year.
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Victoria flags unregistered dangerous dog law
Once again the dogs are going to suffer thanks to stupid stupid humans.
The worst thing is that Hugh Wirth is the president of the Australian RSPCA!!! How the hell can they spout they're crap about "For all creatures great and small" while supporting
BSL!?
This makes my blood boil, it really does.
I'm also thinking of the situations that this is just going to mess with. Say.. someone with a ANKC registered Am Staff, maybe on holiday in Vic so obvisouly the dog will not be registered. If it escapes and is grabbed by council, deemed an
APBT and put down all before the owners have a say!?
What chance do these dogs have when the most powerful man in animal welfare in the country wants them dead
I'm so disgusted in that man.
10-19-2009, 04:18 AM
RSPCA puts another nail in the APBT's coffin 
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