Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) VICTORIA
Changes to Victorian Restricted Breed Dog legislation came into effect on September 30 2011.
Please ensure you have copies of your Amstaffs ANKC pedigree papers available and/or forward them to your council so they have them on file. If your dog does not have ANKC pedigree papers or is of another unrestricted breed that may possibly fall under the Standard as outlined in the legislation, it is vital that your dog is registered with your local council or it is at risk of being seized and possibly destroyed. Further, a signed declaration from a vet stating that your dog is an American Staffordshire Terrier ONLY ( no cross or other breed certificate is accepted).
These are the only ways you can be certain that your dog will not be declared restricted.
What Is Breed Specific Legislation?
Since 2005, Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) has been in place in Victoria through the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994. It is also in place in every other state of Australia except the ACT and NT. BSL places restrictions on certain breeds due to a perception that they are inherently dangerous. In Victoria, the following breeds are restricted under BSL –
The American Pitbull Terrier;
The Fila Brasiliairo;
The Dogo
Arentino;
The Japanese Tosa;
And the Perro de Presa Canairo (Presa
Canerio)
It is prohibited by Victorian law to buy, sell, trade, or dispose of these breeds and owners are forced to abide by special requirements to keep these breeds. For more information on Victoria’s laws visit the Department Of Primary Industry website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au.
Why BSL Is Unjust And Doesn’t Work!
Breed Specific Legislation fails to take into account that any breed of dog can be dangerous when in the hands of an irresponsible and
neglectful owner. Basing its logic on the notion that certain breeds of dogs present an immediate danger, BSL punishes responsible owners and their beloved pets simply due to their appearance and breed. Meanwhile ample evidence is available to show that BSL does nothing to reduce the rate of dog incidents in the community.
First being introduced in the United Kingdom with the UK Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, BSL has proved to be a dismal failure.
Investigation has found that dogs were responsible for 73.9% of all bites before enactment of the legislation and 73.1% of all bites after the legislation had been introduced (Seksel, K, 2002, page 9). A report commissioned by the NSW Government confirms this to be the case in the Australian context also.
BSL and the American Staffordshire Terrier
In Australia the Amstaff has never been classified as a restricted breed. Rather it is known as a people loving, humour-filled dog that is becoming increasingly popular due to its great temperament and robust structure. However experiences from other parts of the world tell us to be vigilant against the threat of BSL.
In some countries in Europe, notably the UK and Norway, and some jurisdictions in the USA, the American Staffordshire Terrier has fallen under the hammer of BSL. Some countries have repealed the law but the damage is done. This is due to the breeds close resemblance and ancestry to other restricted breeds, despite there being no scientific evidence to support any notion that the American Staffordshire Terrier poses a threat to the community. In fact evidence from the American Temperament Test Society shows that the Amstaff has an average temperament test pass rate above that of the Society’s all breeds average and much higher then many other popular breeds. (Battista, F, 2007).
What Can You Do About BSL?
The first blow any Amstaff lover can deal against BSL is to be a responsible and outstanding dog owner! The American Staffordshire Terrier is a fantastic dog, one that will bring you lots of joy throughout your time in the breed. However due to it’s close resemblance and ancestry to some restricted breeds, and its natural feisty terrier nature, the Amstaff requires an owner who is conscious of the current legislative climate and is willingly to go the extra mile to ensure their Amstaff is an outstanding canine citizen. This means having your Amstaff under effective control at all times and never allowing it to roam at large. Treat your dog and all others with the respect they deserve. Keeping your Amstaff free from any trouble is the first step to protecting this breed for generations to come.
To protect yourself, never buy an American Staffordshire Terrier that does not have pedigree papers issued by the Australian National Kennel Council. Due to our breed’s resemblance to some restricted breeds, an Amstaff without pedigree papers runs the risk of being mistaken for a restricted breed and at its worst this could lead to your beloved pet being confiscated by some councils.
Remember that the American Staffordshire Terrier belongs to all of us and we all have a responsibility to ensure this breed is kept safe for many generations to come.
Many innocent dogs have been destroyed in Australia since the introduction of BSL, leaving many families distraught at the loss of their beloved pets and many more living in fear that their pet could be next.
If you have a dog that is seized by council under Breed Specific Legislation in Victoria please contact Dogs on Trial in Victoria ASAP.
http://dogsdotvictoria.com
https://www.facebook.com/#!/DogsOnTrialDOTVictoria
About Dogs On Trial in Victoria (DOT)
Dogs on trial in Victoria's VCAT, due to Restricted Breed Laws in Victoria, Australia.If your dog is declared Restricted Breed by council, please email [email protected] and [email protected] We may be able to help.
Description
This page is for sharing the cases that have been to VCAT, appealing dogs who have been declared Restricted Breeds in Victoria. The wins and the losses. The stories are to share, to broaden awareness of the situation, and inform people what is happening with councils,and the treatment owners and their dogs are receiving through this legislation. Please don't give up, you do have the right to appeal.
If anyone is having trouble with their council regarding Restricted Breed Legislation, and would like information, or help, please feel free to email us and we will assist in anyway we can. [email protected]
This is not run by members of the legal profession, therefore it is not legal advice, but it is run by ordinary people who have had experience with VCAT and have helped many people through the process.
Please contact D.O.T, as the process is not easy, and we hope their experience will help you.
Changes to Victorian Restricted Breed Dog legislation came into effect on September 30 2011.
Please ensure you have copies of your Amstaffs ANKC pedigree papers available and/or forward them to your council so they have them on file. If your dog does not have ANKC pedigree papers or is of another unrestricted breed that may possibly fall under the Standard as outlined in the legislation, it is vital that your dog is registered with your local council or it is at risk of being seized and possibly destroyed. Further, a signed declaration from a vet stating that your dog is an American Staffordshire Terrier ONLY ( no cross or other breed certificate is accepted).
These are the only ways you can be certain that your dog will not be declared restricted.
What Is Breed Specific Legislation?
Since 2005, Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) has been in place in Victoria through the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994. It is also in place in every other state of Australia except the ACT and NT. BSL places restrictions on certain breeds due to a perception that they are inherently dangerous. In Victoria, the following breeds are restricted under BSL –
The American Pitbull Terrier;
The Fila Brasiliairo;
The Dogo
Arentino;
The Japanese Tosa;
And the Perro de Presa Canairo (Presa
Canerio)
It is prohibited by Victorian law to buy, sell, trade, or dispose of these breeds and owners are forced to abide by special requirements to keep these breeds. For more information on Victoria’s laws visit the Department Of Primary Industry website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au.
Why BSL Is Unjust And Doesn’t Work!
Breed Specific Legislation fails to take into account that any breed of dog can be dangerous when in the hands of an irresponsible and
neglectful owner. Basing its logic on the notion that certain breeds of dogs present an immediate danger, BSL punishes responsible owners and their beloved pets simply due to their appearance and breed. Meanwhile ample evidence is available to show that BSL does nothing to reduce the rate of dog incidents in the community.
First being introduced in the United Kingdom with the UK Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, BSL has proved to be a dismal failure.
Investigation has found that dogs were responsible for 73.9% of all bites before enactment of the legislation and 73.1% of all bites after the legislation had been introduced (Seksel, K, 2002, page 9). A report commissioned by the NSW Government confirms this to be the case in the Australian context also.
BSL and the American Staffordshire Terrier
In Australia the Amstaff has never been classified as a restricted breed. Rather it is known as a people loving, humour-filled dog that is becoming increasingly popular due to its great temperament and robust structure. However experiences from other parts of the world tell us to be vigilant against the threat of BSL.
In some countries in Europe, notably the UK and Norway, and some jurisdictions in the USA, the American Staffordshire Terrier has fallen under the hammer of BSL. Some countries have repealed the law but the damage is done. This is due to the breeds close resemblance and ancestry to other restricted breeds, despite there being no scientific evidence to support any notion that the American Staffordshire Terrier poses a threat to the community. In fact evidence from the American Temperament Test Society shows that the Amstaff has an average temperament test pass rate above that of the Society’s all breeds average and much higher then many other popular breeds. (Battista, F, 2007).
What Can You Do About BSL?
The first blow any Amstaff lover can deal against BSL is to be a responsible and outstanding dog owner! The American Staffordshire Terrier is a fantastic dog, one that will bring you lots of joy throughout your time in the breed. However due to it’s close resemblance and ancestry to some restricted breeds, and its natural feisty terrier nature, the Amstaff requires an owner who is conscious of the current legislative climate and is willingly to go the extra mile to ensure their Amstaff is an outstanding canine citizen. This means having your Amstaff under effective control at all times and never allowing it to roam at large. Treat your dog and all others with the respect they deserve. Keeping your Amstaff free from any trouble is the first step to protecting this breed for generations to come.
To protect yourself, never buy an American Staffordshire Terrier that does not have pedigree papers issued by the Australian National Kennel Council. Due to our breed’s resemblance to some restricted breeds, an Amstaff without pedigree papers runs the risk of being mistaken for a restricted breed and at its worst this could lead to your beloved pet being confiscated by some councils.
Remember that the American Staffordshire Terrier belongs to all of us and we all have a responsibility to ensure this breed is kept safe for many generations to come.
Many innocent dogs have been destroyed in Australia since the introduction of BSL, leaving many families distraught at the loss of their beloved pets and many more living in fear that their pet could be next.
If you have a dog that is seized by council under Breed Specific Legislation in Victoria please contact Dogs on Trial in Victoria ASAP.
http://dogsdotvictoria.com
https://www.facebook.com/#!/DogsOnTrialDOTVictoria
About Dogs On Trial in Victoria (DOT)
Dogs on trial in Victoria's VCAT, due to Restricted Breed Laws in Victoria, Australia.If your dog is declared Restricted Breed by council, please email [email protected] and [email protected] We may be able to help.
Description
This page is for sharing the cases that have been to VCAT, appealing dogs who have been declared Restricted Breeds in Victoria. The wins and the losses. The stories are to share, to broaden awareness of the situation, and inform people what is happening with councils,and the treatment owners and their dogs are receiving through this legislation. Please don't give up, you do have the right to appeal.
If anyone is having trouble with their council regarding Restricted Breed Legislation, and would like information, or help, please feel free to email us and we will assist in anyway we can. [email protected]
This is not run by members of the legal profession, therefore it is not legal advice, but it is run by ordinary people who have had experience with VCAT and have helped many people through the process.
Please contact D.O.T, as the process is not easy, and we hope their experience will help you.