Thread: Victoria's draconian dog laws!

Yes Jess is correct that is what the law is in Victoria. They changed it after the Schutzhund guy got off the charges in 2000 to include "attached to" so the dog sports people could not use rags or tugs instead of an arm. This closed the loop hole that he got off under.

Yes Steve Austin did recieve an official warning from a government official whilst doing a display of dog tricks at a show.

The laws are currently being review and I have talked to a guy on the committee who is representing the security and schutzhund side of things. He has no idea how long the process is going to take, but he believes there may be an allowance for dogsports under a different catagory in the dangerous dogs legislation.

The only way around it at the moment is to be a licenced security guard, you dont have to be an active or working one but you must have a licence. This is the main reason I recently did a security course. I am also going through my local council to get an area on my farm zoned as a training/breeding area for dogs as required under the act. They have been stuffing me around like you would not believe and 12 months in nearly up and I have got nowhere. My property is out in the middle of nowhere with only one neighbour, who has no objections and is very supportive but the red tape is killing me!!........sometimes I wish I was not so honest!!

Let hope the review committee comes up with something workable and soon!!!

Also has anybody heard of anymore trouble in the Schutzhund world recently besides one of the clubs being shut down. I over heard a conversation and did not get all the details but thought somebody might have recently been charged???....I am trying to find out more.

The other law they are trying to bring in into Victoria is compulsory desexing unless you are a registered breeder. The question I am asking is what about the breeds (mine for example) that are not ANKC recognised? The ANKC is the only dog organisation that currently has government recognition therefore if they bring in this law you must come under them or be registered as a breeding facility (which is part of what I am trying to do!)


I totally agree with Mark about the laws and the people who make them and even in my case when you bend over backwards to try and do the right thing, they make it almost impossible!!!.........draconian is an understatement!!!!!


Steve

I had no idea about Victoria's dog laws. All I can say is thank god I live in Queensland otherwise I'd be getting locked up!

Paranoia knows no bounds; I'm all for safety but this is ridiculous!

Peter

The laws in question are very restrictive and in some cases ridiculous. On top of this the VCA(DogsVic) consider that all dogs trained in any protection inc sport dogs within Vic should not be taken onto its grounds.

This extends to certain state breed clubs who refuse to allow dogs trained in PP/Dog sport etc to OB train with them.If the BREED clubs don't like working dogs of their breed's,why will the council think twice before preserving/enforcing these draconian laws?

Many people will continue to responsibly train and engage in activities that are prohibited without interference from council/law etc however the fact that even one dog sport participant can be hung out to dry under these laws is unacceptable and totally wrong IMO.

Originally Posted by Summit K9

I had no idea about Victoria's dog laws. All I can say is thank god I live in Queensland otherwise I'd be getting locked up!

Paranoia knows no bounds; I'm all for safety but this is ridiculous!

Peter

Hi Peter

what worries me even more.. .these laws could eventually affect us all. Most states tend to follow each other eventually!

If those laws ever hit QLD I'd probably move back to NZ. I don't know about the dangerous dog legislation side but NZ has no restrictions at all on dog training tools.

Originally Posted by Midol

If those laws ever hit QLD I'd probably move back to NZ. I don't know about the dangerous dog legislation side but NZ has no restrictions at all on dog training tools.

Sorry to dissapoint you but NZ is not far behind Australia in dog legislation and may even pass us if some laws get in......they are looking at widening their restricted/band breeds to include a wide range of dogs. The bit laws/dog sports are heading in the same direction as ours and from what I have been told by one of their police dog trainers/handlers, even the police dog activities are becoming very restricted........what hope does that leave Joe Citizen the dog lover!!!......were is it really going to end????

The only positive I have heard in a long time in dog laws was in Qld today where they passed laws that greyhounds no longer have to wear muzzles in public while on a leash......considering this day and age this is a huge victory and at least should give us some hope things may change.

I still believe the ANKC have caused a lot of the problems and if they had stood up to the RSPCA, etc for working breeds years ago we would not be in this mess!! if you get down to the nitty gritty of it with the breed councils/clubs and put pressure on them, I bet their reply will end up being "But the ANKC will not have us as members of their organisation if we do dog sports"...........and as they are the only government recognized organisation concerning dogs in the country........that is were the problem lies!!! As I mentioned in another thread the only way things will change is if all working breeds form their own government recognised organisation, sepaerate to the ANKC, that can have a voice for dog sports and working bloodlines. While the ANKC are solo captains on the boat we have no hope.........go to there website and have a look at their policies on bite work, etc and tell me they are not in line with the laws we see happening more and more.

It amazes me how the ANKC can be part of the international FCI organisation who are so much in favour of dog sports and temprement testing.

Steve