Tasmania, Australia: Tougher Controls on Dangerous Dogs (BSL passed)

The following dogs are now considered “restricted breeds” in Tasmania. There are special requirements for owners of these types of dogs:

(a) dogo Argentino;
(b) fila Brasileiro;
(c) Japanese tosa;
(d) American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier;
(e) Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario;
(f) any other breed, kind or description of dog whose importation into Australia is prohibited by or under the Customs Act 1901 of the Commonwealth.

Read the entire Dog Control Amendment Act 2009 here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/bill/dcab27o2009243/

http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=28515

Tougher Controls on Dangerous Dogs

Tasmania now has tougher controls for dangerous dogs with the Dog Control Amendment Act 2009 being passed by State Parliament last week, the Minister for Local Government, Jim Cox, said today.

Mr Cox said the measures included compulsory micro-chipping, a new process around problem barking dogs and tougher management of restricted breed dogs and those declared as dangerous dogs.

Changes to the Act include:

• Stronger control measures on dangerous dogs, including child-proof enclosures of a minimum standard.
• Stronger provisions for councils to seize and detain dogs.
• A new noise abatement notice process to tackle problem barking dogs.
• A new classification of restricted breed dog with stronger control requirements.
• Mandatory de-sexing of restricted breed dogs and dangerous dogs.
• Restrictions on selling and exchanging dangerous and restricted breed dogs.
• Compulsory micro-chipping of all dogs.

“These measures, particularly the new controls on restricted and dangerous breeds, have been brought in to reduce the risk of dog attacks in the community,” Mr Cox said.

“The State Government is serious about the safety of Tasmanians, and placing tougher controls on dangerous dogs is an important step in reducing the risk of potentially life-threatening attacks occurring.”

Mr Cox said the State Government would be implementing the stronger controls, including those on dangerous dogs, the new restricted breed provisions, and the new noise abatement notice process as a matter of priority.

“We will be working closely with councils and interest groups on the detail of the new measures and how we will implement them.

“We want to ensure that affected dog owners fully understand how the new legislation will affect them, and what the new requirements will be before they are put in place.

“We intend to have these measures in place by 1 July 2010, which will give affected dog owners ample time in which to meet the new control requirements.”

The new requirements for all dogs to be micro-chipped will not be implemented until 1 July 2011, to allow for micro-chipping database systems and approvals to be put in place.

“The extended time period on micro-chipping also takes into account the large number of dogs that will need to be micro-chipped.

“However, I would encourage all dog owners not to wait until July 2011 to have their dog micro-chipped. The benefits of micro-chipping your pet, such as being able to more easily identify lost animals, can be of huge benefit straight away.”

Mr Cox said the legislation had been developed through broad consultation and research to find the best model for Tasmania.

“This included a working group comprising representatives of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, the RSPCA, the Australian Veterinary Association, Animal Management Officers Association of Tasmania, the Royal Guide Dogs and other interest groups.”