Page 5968 - Week 18 - Wednesday, 11 December 1991
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Firstly, I think it appropriate to put on the record my interest in and involvement with the dog fraternity in three States, just to give an indication as to where I am coming from. As a new dog owner in Townsville some years ago, I sought assistance in training and joined a club, and eventually became a voluntary trainer for obedience classes in that town. Our dog, an Irish setter, achieved his novice qualification in a short time, although our forays into the show ring were not particularly successful. It is a bit hard to get an Irish setter that has a hip problem to win in the show ring, I can assure you. However, we did try, and we enjoyed ourselves.
As a member of the Field and Game Association, both in Queensland and in New South Wales, I was involved in gun dog trials. On moving to Canberra, I became a qualified trainer under the auspices of the Canberra Kennel Association with the Belconnen Dog Obedience Club. I was also Vice-President of the ACT Gun Dogs Society, and was responsible for the conduct and operation of its non-slip field retrieving trials. I was also, of course, a member of the Canberra Kennel Association.
By that time we were the proud owners of a Brittany spaniel and were heavily involved in training this particular dog, particularly in obedience, an interest we continued after moving to Perth. On our return to the ACT, other commitments prevented me from continuing our direct role in the dog clubs and associations.
Mr Wood: Do we need this history? I acknowledge your intentions and your background.
MR JENSEN: That is as far as I need to go, I think, Mr Wood. I understand that the Canberra Kennel Association, which represents all dog clubs in the ACT, believes that these amendments to the main dog control legislation are an improvement to dog control in the ACT. However, there are a couple of concerns that they have raised with me, for which I have prepared amendments. I will address those amendments during this speech, I think, to save time in the detail stage. I trust that I will be able to explain their position, because of my experience in this field.
There are a number of other points which deserve comment and which warrant a response from the Minister. One aspect of the new legislation raised with me is the possibility of an amnesty for unregistered dogs. I am advised that, while there are approximately 16,000 registered dogs in the ACT, the Canberra Kennel Association conservatively estimates that there are some 65,000 dogs in the ACT. I repeat: Only 16,000 registered; some 65,000 dogs in the ACT. This estimate is, I understand, based on reports and assessments by veterinarians and others involved in the dog arena. Pardon the pun - for those who are into trials.
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