Queensland Dog Breed Bans: Pit Bulls, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Jail for Irresponsible Homeowners
Irresponsible homeowners could face jail under a range of tougher measures proposed by Queensland authorities to reduce dog attacks.
On Sunday, Agriculture Minister Mark Furner released a dialogue document inviting Queenslanders to have their say on the proposed adjustments.
These include banning safe breeds, increasing penalties to prison terms for serious offenses and requiring all dogs to be “effectively controlled” in public.
“It’s time for Queenslanders to have their say on these proposed reforms and I’m inviting everyone to provide feedback on the discussion paper,” Mr Furner said.
Irresponsible homeowners could face jail under a range of tougher measures proposed by Queensland authorities to reduce dog attacks. One of the recommendations is a ban on pit bull terriers (pictured).
The Spanish Mastiff, Presa Canario, is likely to be one of the dog breeds to be banned under proposals in a brand new dialogue document launched by Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner.
Most dog owners in Queensland take responsibility, however, there are significant dog attacks.
“We expect all pet owners to ensure that their pets do not pose a threat to the public.”
Queensland authorities are under fire for taking too long to revise harmful dog legal guidelines.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will call for another job offer after mayors across the state called the current laws outdated.
A review of legal guidelines was said to be completed in the coming months, but the Prime Minister says tougher penalties for homeowners are wanted to deter further attacks.
The dialogue paper came after a rise in serious dog attacks in the state and recognized that around 100,000 dog bites are reported in Australia each year.
About 80 percent of these occur at home, and young people are 3 times more likely to be hospitalized than adults.
The proposed changes include the creation of brand new offenses to target those who fail to control their dogs causing harm or death, and prison terms for serious offenders.
Queensland is the only state in Australia that does not currently impose prison sentences for dog attacks.
Breeds may also be proposed to be banned and de-licensed along with Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier and Presa Canario.
The dialogue document states that this can be “grandfathered” to exempt current dogs from the ban.
It may also be proposed to require nationally effective canine management in public, with nationally applicable fines and clarifying guidelines for the destruction of harmful dogs.
Queensland is the only state in Australia that does not currently impose prison sentences for dog attacks. One breed that could potentially be banned under the new proposals is the Japanese tosa (pictured)
Various breeds may also be proposed to be banned and de-opted along with the Fila Brasileiro (pictured)
Alison Smith, chief executive of the Queensland Association of Local Governments, said the adjustments would help reduce wild attacks in neighbourhoods.
For too long, irresponsible dog house owners have been able to force neighborhoods and municipalities to pay ransom. That has to change,” she mentioned.
“This is an opportunity to tell the public that enough is enough – that Queensland needs to crack down on irresponsible dog owners and that there needs to be swift justice after a feral dog attack.”
Queenslanders have until August 24 to submit proposals for the proposed adjustments.
