Post by RealPitBull on Jan 15, 2008 8:20:24 GMT -5
Pig hunters become the hunted in dog crackdown
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:38am AEDT
Updated 5 hours 15 minutes ago
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/15/2138598.htm
Audio: Darwin's Lord Mayor Garry Lambert on ABC Radio. (ABC News) Audio: Deputy Opposition leader Terry Mills on recent dog attacks. (ABC News) Map: Nightcliff 0810
Related Story: Pit bull attacks boy, 12 Related Story: Pit bull owners won't face charges over mauling Related Story: Darwin teen mauled by dog Pig hunting dogs may be banned in the Territory as authorities consider what action to take following another dog attack.
There have been two pit bull terrier attacks in Darwin within a week, including one incident yesterday where a 13-year-old boy from Nightcliff was bitten on the arm.
As he recovered from surgery today, the victim Eddie Kennedy described the attack as unprovoked and said the pit bull had attacked other people in the past.
He says the dog rammed a gate and then lunged at him.
"It just looked at me and jumped up and bit me on my arm and when it was on my arm I was like punching it in the throat, but it just didn't want to get off it was just locked on.
"He let go and got a better grip and just shook his head."
Mr Kennedy, who will have a skin graft on Friday, has called for the dog to be put down.
Pit bulls not a backyard breed
The Territory Government is considering its response to the attacks, including tighter restrictions and tougher penalties for the owners of dangerous dogs.
But one of its own animal welfare adviser's says a ban on aggressive breeds of dogs should be considered.
Dr Steven Cutter says a ban on using dogs for pig hunting would reduce the amount of dog attacks on humans.
He says pig hunting breeds such as pit bull terriers are often kept in people's back yards inappropriately.
"A lot of the unwanted dogs are also produced in the process of breeding dogs for pig hunting, so I actually think banning pig hunting with dogs like they have in a number of other states would have a significant impact on the number of dog attacks."
Dr Cutter says there is no evidence that training a dog to be aggressive decreases the risk of being robbed.
A ban on dangerous breeds is also being considered by the Darwin City Council.
Lord Mayor Garry Lambert says there are irresponsible people who aren't controlling viscous and undisciplined dogs, and new by-laws will impose tighter controls on dangerous breeds like pit bulls terriers.
"These sorts of attacks underpin the degree of irresponsible dog ownership that we have in Darwin at the present time.
"This attack ... is the second attack in a very short period of time with this type of dog and this is the sort of incidence that would give the council the capacity to declare these dogs as dangerous dogs and have them either banned or controlled in a particular way."
This morning, the council and police seized the dog involved in yesterday's attack after the owners yesterday refused to surrender it. The future of the dog is still unclear.
The Opposition is calling and on the Government to ensure consistency in dog ownership rules across councils.
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:38am AEDT
Updated 5 hours 15 minutes ago
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/15/2138598.htm
Audio: Darwin's Lord Mayor Garry Lambert on ABC Radio. (ABC News) Audio: Deputy Opposition leader Terry Mills on recent dog attacks. (ABC News) Map: Nightcliff 0810
Related Story: Pit bull attacks boy, 12 Related Story: Pit bull owners won't face charges over mauling Related Story: Darwin teen mauled by dog Pig hunting dogs may be banned in the Territory as authorities consider what action to take following another dog attack.
There have been two pit bull terrier attacks in Darwin within a week, including one incident yesterday where a 13-year-old boy from Nightcliff was bitten on the arm.
As he recovered from surgery today, the victim Eddie Kennedy described the attack as unprovoked and said the pit bull had attacked other people in the past.
He says the dog rammed a gate and then lunged at him.
"It just looked at me and jumped up and bit me on my arm and when it was on my arm I was like punching it in the throat, but it just didn't want to get off it was just locked on.
"He let go and got a better grip and just shook his head."
Mr Kennedy, who will have a skin graft on Friday, has called for the dog to be put down.
Pit bulls not a backyard breed
The Territory Government is considering its response to the attacks, including tighter restrictions and tougher penalties for the owners of dangerous dogs.
But one of its own animal welfare adviser's says a ban on aggressive breeds of dogs should be considered.
Dr Steven Cutter says a ban on using dogs for pig hunting would reduce the amount of dog attacks on humans.
He says pig hunting breeds such as pit bull terriers are often kept in people's back yards inappropriately.
"A lot of the unwanted dogs are also produced in the process of breeding dogs for pig hunting, so I actually think banning pig hunting with dogs like they have in a number of other states would have a significant impact on the number of dog attacks."
Dr Cutter says there is no evidence that training a dog to be aggressive decreases the risk of being robbed.
A ban on dangerous breeds is also being considered by the Darwin City Council.
Lord Mayor Garry Lambert says there are irresponsible people who aren't controlling viscous and undisciplined dogs, and new by-laws will impose tighter controls on dangerous breeds like pit bulls terriers.
"These sorts of attacks underpin the degree of irresponsible dog ownership that we have in Darwin at the present time.
"This attack ... is the second attack in a very short period of time with this type of dog and this is the sort of incidence that would give the council the capacity to declare these dogs as dangerous dogs and have them either banned or controlled in a particular way."
This morning, the council and police seized the dog involved in yesterday's attack after the owners yesterday refused to surrender it. The future of the dog is still unclear.
The Opposition is calling and on the Government to ensure consistency in dog ownership rules across councils.