Page 955 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 31 March 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Concern has been expressed by both the Minister, Mr Bill Wood, and the Liberal spokesman, Mr Lou Westende, that much needs to be done to strengthen the Dog Control Act. It may well be the case that in the next sittings of the Legislative Assembly we will debate up to three Bills seeking to amend the Dog Control Act 1975, and I welcome that debate and discussion. I am sure that the ACT community will look forward to stronger and more responsive dog control laws as a result. However, I feel that there is a need to be even-handed in our approach and to ensure that all players have sufficient notice of any changes. Some other amendments may well be possible to implement in a shorter timeframe. My estimation of the changes I wish to bring into the Act is that a certain amount of time - in this case, not more than about seven weeks - is needed to make the changes, but I feel that it is important to incorporate this into the changes proposed. This also gives the community a timeframe for the introduction of these changes.
Madam Speaker, I hope that the issues raised in the debate about dog control receive full and public airing. I will be consulting with many groups, including the RSPCA, about the welfare of dogs and how these groups and individuals feel about my proposals. I feel at this time that they are fair, work within the current system to meet the expectations of community members that they will be protected from dogs which attack people and other animals, and place the responsibility for adequate care and the exercise of control over dogs squarely with the keepers of the dogs. I will also be canvassing opinions from those I consult on how best to encourage more responsible dog ownership. As I have said earlier, I do not feel that most people are irresponsible, but I do feel that dogs in an urban environment must have certain needs met, and people who do not feel prepared to meet those needs are not accepting the full responsibility of dog ownership. I must then look to the Government to devote the resources needed for better enforcement of the Act to the Registrar of Dogs. While we can all make a very loud noise about the flouting of laws by dog owners, it is useless to discuss increased penalties with increased inspection powers, or any other move, unless we are to see a definite attempt to police the laws we have.
I am concerned that I have heard reports that the Registrar of Dogs has lost or is about to lose a staff member and that staffing levels are such that enforcement of the Act is very difficult. I welcome the announcement made yesterday by the Minister that the dog control unit is to have more staff. Perhaps the Minister, when he responds to this amendment Bill, will elaborate on how he sees the provisions of the Act being enforced. I am aware that the budget is tight and that other priorities take up much needed funds; but, if the problem is worth making pledges and promises to remedy, it is also worthy of some funding to allow those pledges and promises to be met.
Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I put forward the proposition that, as members of an Assembly that has both municipal and State responsibilities, we need to be able to bring forward innovative, imaginative and cost-effective answers to the issues facing the community. I feel that, within a legislative framework, my amendments have gone some way towards achieving this. I look forward to seeing the further suggestions of other members and hope that the community will feel more secure and safe from attacks by unrestrained dogs because of our actions. I ask for leave to present an explanatory memorandum to the Bill.
Leave granted.
Debate (on motion by Mr Berry) adjourned.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .