Page 1209 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
public place. It is a very difficult aspect of this policy area. That is exactly why I think we need to go back to basics.
Let me give some history to that. We have an estimated 60,000 dogs living in the ACT, so there will be incidents. We all have a role to play to ensure that people and other dogs and animals can feel safe in our community. This means that ultimately the control of a dog is the responsibility of its owner, within a robust legislative and regulatory framework. The ACT already has strong legislation governing the management of domestic animals, including dogs involved in attacks, but it is a fact that legislation alone cannot prevent dog attacks. That is why we need action on multiple fronts to reduce the propensity and opportunity for these attacks. A holistic and coordinated approach to initiatives, which might include strengthening requirements for desexing, registration, microchipping, compliance and education, is the best means of reducing the likelihood of dog attacks.
That is exactly the sort of issue that is raised in the draft animal welfare and management strategy, which I have released today. It is available for comment from the community; it has been developed in close consultation with the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, RSPCA ACT, ACT Veterinary Surgeons Board and other stakeholders, notably the Rural Landholders Association.
My intention for this strategy is that it will guide animal management and welfare into the future for our pets, wildlife and livestock. Already this input from this range of stakeholders has proved extremely valuable. I am very confident that this is a comprehensive starting point for us to further investigate how we can continue to improve our policy, legislative and regulatory environment. It outlines a clear vision and objectives to better manage all animals in the ACT and will highlight the actions that, when delivered, will represent best-practice animal management in the country.
These examples include improved communication and education programs for the community and animal professionals; the promotion of responsible pet ownership as a key approach to managing domestic pets and prevent the occurrence of a range of undesirable outcomes, notably including dog attacks; improved facilities and services that are tailored to meet community expectations regarding domestic animal management; ongoing review of the ACT’s animal management regulatory framework to address emerging trends and issues; and management plans for introduced species.
The strategy will be a broad umbrella under which a range of practical measures will be pursued. I look forward to hearing the views of the community and members of this place over the next six weeks as we have this strategy out for public comment and then implementing a robust animal welfare and management strategy for the ACT.
I thank Mr Doszpot for his motion today. I am confident that the work we have done and will continue to do as a result of this strategy will strengthen our ability to further investigate our policy, legislative and regulatory framework. I note the distress of many people in our community at the moment whose dogs have been attacked, and the owners of dogs who have attacked others. I note that it is a complex issue, one that
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video