Page 5970 - Week 18 - Wednesday, 11 December 1991
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I am not quite sure what the answer is, but I think it is something that we have to look at very carefully. This issue is of concern to those registered owners who are responsible members of the Canberra Kennel Association, which is necessary if one is to breed purebred dogs, or, of course, other breed clubs such as the German Shepherd Club, the ACT Gun Dogs Society, et cetera. There is a bit of a concern there, and I think that is something that we have to look at carefully down the track.
I note, and I am pleased to see, that incentives are being offered for dog owners who make use of registered dog obedience clubs to help them train and raise a responsible dog, because, quite frankly, I have always maintained that there is no such thing as a delinquent dog, just a delinquent owner. That is effectively the problem that we have in the ACT, and all around Australia, I think. It is not the dog that is delinquent; it is the people who own it.
I trust that, in view of this, the Minister, who is also responsible for planning and land management, will ensure that a new home for the Belconnen Dog Obedience Club is found quickly. I understand that they have been asked to move and, hopefully, they will be given premises. As one of the members of that club who assisted in its establishment in its current location in Mitchell, I am fully supportive of its move.
I note the new paragraph on preventing escape. I know that it is late; but, having been the owner of a dog which from day one in three States used to take every opportunity to escape, I can recall many times having to follow at a reasonable clip the disappearing back end of a Brittany spaniel when a visitor was not aware of how quick a dog can move when given half a chance at the back gate. I guess I was a bit fitter in those days.
Let me now turn to the issue of dogs in public places. I fully support the proposal to have a dog on a leash in a public place. However, this raises a potential problem for those many dog owners who, hopefully, will take up the opportunity to train their dogs. Formal training with a club normally takes place only once a week, usually at the weekend or at night under lights. It is amazing how many dogs can fit on a shopping centre car park under lights - which is what we used to do on a weekly basis in Townsville.
However, one seeks to train a dog in public, particularly in parks, to get them used to the sights, sounds and scents around them. In some cases, as one progresses from companion dog through to companion dog excellent and utility dog, the standard of control by the owner increases markedly, and all exercises at UD level, for example, are done off lead.
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