Victorian Government lifts ban on Pit Bull registration
American Pit Bull Terrier. Photo: By Dustix at fr.wikipedia
The Labor Victorian Government lifts ban on Pit Bull registration and other restricted dog breed as part of its response to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into breed-specific legislation.
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) welcomes the announcement made by the Victorian Government on 15th September 2016, which will allow restricted dog breeds to be registered in Victoria.
President of the AVA’s Victorian Division, Dr Paul Martin, said that the AVA had been lobbying the government against restricted breed legislation since it was introduced in 2011.
“We strongly oppose regulation of dogs based on breed alone because it simply doesn’t help in reducing the incidence of dog bites.
“Dogs of all breeds and all sizes have the potential to be dangerous in certain circumstances. Genetics, socialisation, training and health conditions as well as human behaviour, are all contributing factors when it comes to dogs showing aggressive behaviour.
“As a society we value the positive role that dogs play in our lives but there’s a persistent gap between the community’s desire to live alongside dogs and its knowledge of how to properly interact with them.
“We believe further education for owners and breeders, dog bite reporting mechanisms, enforcement of current regulations, increased registration of dogs and temperament testing are pathways to a safer community. These are much better alternatives to breed specific legislation.
“We’re pleased that the government will be considering all these important factors and we look forward to them introducing the new legislation next year that looks at behaviour rather than breed,” Dr Martin said.
Victorian Government lifts ban on Pit Bull registration – key points:
- Restricted breed dogs are defined as dogs that fit the Approved Standard for Restricted Breed Dogs in Victoria. These include pure or cross bred American Pit Bull Terriers (or Pit Bull Terriers), Perro de Presa Canarios (or Presa Canario), Dogo Argentinos, Japanese Tosas, or Fila Brasileiros.Key points
- The Parliamentary Inquiry into the legislative and regulatory framework relating to restricted breed dogs received 502 written submissions and heard from 16 organisations and individuals at public hearings.
- The Committee’s resulting report was published in March 2016 and contained 31 recommendations.
- The government agrees or agrees in principle with 25 of the Inquiry’s recommendation, including its recommendation that the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (Act) be amended to allow the registration of restricted breed dogs, while retaining all other restrictions related to restricted breed dogs.
- The ban on registering restricted breed dogs will be removed in 2017.