OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
For Urgent Attention
AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER CLUB OF AUSTRALIA INC.
Promoting Responsible Ownership
The American Pit Bull Terrier Club Of Australia Inc. condemns the Victorian State Government announcement of new attacks on the American Pit Bull Terrier breed and it’s owners.
Club President Colin Muir said today that he was “appalled by the audacity of a Government elected twice on the promise of open, honest and accountable government yet the Bracks Government has not seen fit to consult with the key stakeholders in this issue – owners of the breed.” “This is the second time this government has legislated against this breed and both times they have done it by stealth.”
“This is of particular concern when you consider the governments own data shows these measures are without basis. Victorian figures show less than 50 attacks by American Pit Bull Terriers from more that 3200 from all breeds or around 1.5 %”
“ This is nothing more than a con on community expectations of a reduction in dog attacks. The Government is attempting to create a perception that they are addressing the problem of dog attacks, when in fact they are doing nothing that will cause a reduction.
Mr. Muir says that “ legislation aimed at a particular breed of dog does nothing to tackle the problem of attacking dogs. It punishes responsible owners with good dogs. Irresponsible owners with offending dogs just simply change breeds or ignore laws anyway.”
“Breeds of dog don’t bite people, individual dogs of all breeds do. Until we have a legal framework that recognises this, people will continue to be bitten while resources are continually waisted on enforcing laws on one small section of the dog owning community.”
“Similar legislation in introduced in Australia and Internationally has failed to reduce dog attacks and come at a huge administrative and legal cost. Other initiatives that have resulted in huge reductions in attacks are being ignored.”
“This is much more an issue of good governance than it is about dog attacks” says Muir, “If any government is serious about eliminating dog attacks they simply have to target laws that tackle irresponsible ownership irrespective of breed – coupled with proper enforcement and education with the appropriate resources.”
Colin Muir can be contacted on 0425 753 755
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