Released 22/03/2018
The ACT Government today introduced a Bill to strengthen dangerous dog legislation and ensure the new laws align with reforms to greyhound racing in the ACT that allow people to have day-to-day care of racing greyhounds.
Last year tough laws were introduced to protect the community from dangerous dogs. The legislation targeted dog owners who act irresponsibly by imposing greater fines and penalties, greater seizure and informant powers and more effective provisions to reduce illegal breeding and increase compliance with mandatory de-sexing.
“As a result of our reforms last year, the ACT has some of the strongest legislation in Australia in relation to the management of dogs, including dangerous dogs,” said Minister for Transport and City Services Meegan Fitzharris.
“The ACT Government takes the regulation of dogs and animal welfare offences very seriously, and there are heavy penalties for people who do not follow the rules.
“Last year the ACT Government also introduced legislation to ban greyhound racing in the ACT, which comes into effect on 30 April 2018.
“The Bill we are introducing today amends the Domestic Animals Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 to align the dangerous dog and greyhound racing ban amendments passed by the Legislative Assembly last year.
“For example, this change will require the Registrar to consider the safety of the public and also whether an owner can demonstrate responsible dog management, care and control before granting a greyhound controller licence. A greyhound controller licence allows a person to have day-to-day care of one or more racing greyhounds.
“The Bill will also ensure that the principles of responsible pet ownership and public safety that were introduced through the dangerous dog amendments equally apply to the greyhound provisions. This will make the Act robust and consistent in ensuring that people and dogs are protected in our community.”
The Bill also tightens up penalties and offences in the Act, and will allow for fines to be issued in a greater range of circumstances to people who breach the law and are clearly acting irresponsibly or unsafely in respect of their dogs, for example, by breaching a dog control order.
The Bill also makes minor changes to:
- Define ‘breeding’ so there are no loopholes in the law and illegal breeding and puppy farming can be further targeted and stamped out.
- Allow for carers of dogs, as well as keepers of dogs, to have dog control orders and restrictions placed on them.
- Allow for dogs to be impounded in animal rescue facilities and not just the government pound, for better animal welfare outcomes.
- Clarify that people must carry equipment to clean up after their dog.
- Gives effect to a comprehensive infringement notice scheme so it is clear whether or not an offence is a strict liability offence.
These changes were identified after an internal review of the legislation that has now been in action for three months. It is important to constantly review the ACT’s legislation to ensure that it is up-to-date and relevant. This was also a key commitment in the recently released ACT Animal Welfare and Management Strategy.
The ACT Government is in the process of increasing the number of Domestic Animal Services rangers to better manage dogs and animal welfare issues throughout the ACT.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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