Page 4062 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 24 October 1990
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thus providing a real deterrent for irresponsible owners. It is proposed that the new penalty for an attack will be $1,000. A new offence for a dog to attack wildlife will be created. The present attack provisions of the ACT Dog Control Act apply only to attacks on a person, a domestic animal or a farm animal and do not include wildlife.
Attacks on wildlife by roaming dogs are common and the current deficiency in the Act should be remedied. This is something which I think all people who have a care and a love for our native animals will applaud. The Registrar of Dogs will have the discretionary power to hold a seized dog for a minimum of 14 days to enable investigation of the matter, particularly attacking dogs. The present law permits offending dogs to be held for seven days, which is an inadequate period of time in which to initiate prosecution, effectively requiring the return of a dog to its owner and often leading to a repeat of the problem.
The Government is determined to make dog owners responsible for their dogs and to change the attitude of irresponsible dog owners through these amendments to the Dog Control Act. Irresponsible dog owners cost the public purse far too much each year and it is a substantial amount of money. The community should feel free to use the extensive recreational facilities and environment that have been preserved in this beautiful city without fearing the menace of uncontrolled marauding dogs and packs of dogs.
These amendments to the Dog Control Act will provide a very strong piece of legislation for the Dog Control Unit to enforce. They can only benefit responsible members of our community. Mr Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to have made that statement. I present the following paper:
Dog Control Act 1975 - Amendments - Ministerial statement, dated 24 October 1990.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
MR MOORE (3.21): I am just going to say a couple of words, Mr Deputy Speaker. It seems to me that a first reading speech or an introductory speech for a piece of legislation has now been made. I will be looking forward to seeing the legislation.
MR JENSEN (3.21): Clearly this matter is not going to be adjourned; so I will seek to make a few comments on it here and now. I support very strongly the proposals that have been put forward by the Minister today. As a member of the community who has been involved with dog ownership and dog training for a number of years, I think it is most important to remember one very important thing in relation to dogs. There is no such thing as a delinquent dog, just a delinquent owner. That is an issue for which we clearly have a responsibility. I also note with keenness the
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