Page 4052 - Week 11 - Thursday, 21 September 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
More recently, a comparative review has been conducted of laws associated with domestic animals in other jurisdictions. This has identified that the penalties associated with the management of a dog in the ACT are very similar to those of other states and territories and confirmed, indeed, that the ACT has some of the strongest.
In response to a recommendation by the select committee on estimates of this year, TCCS has considered whether a set of criteria could be developed to assist the decision-making in relation to the declaration of a dangerous dog. The legislation provides for the exercise of discretion and judgement about the unique circumstances of each and every case.
As part of our commitment to review relevant laws, the government has reviewed relevant provisions of the Domestic Animals Act and identified a number of potential improvements to better govern the management of dangerous dogs. For example, the potential improvements include introducing an infringement or penalty for noncompliance in relation to a dog released on general conditions or on dangerous dog conditions, although in these circumstances a dog can be seized and impounded and its suitability to be released can be reviewed. The ability to apply additional sanctions on the owner will be considered as a further deterrent. Potential penalties under these circumstances could include the imposition of a dog ownership ban on those who fail to comply with the required conditions.
The potential improvements also include mandating a legislative time frame for the owner of a declared dangerous dog to meet their required obligations in relation to the conditions imposed as part of a licence to keep a dangerous dog; and extending the legislated 28-day time frame to complete an investigation, as this is not always sufficient to accommodate the sometimes complex circumstances of an attack. This time frame will be reviewed with a view to enabling it to be extended at the registrar’s discretion.
In collaboration with the RSPCA, the government is examining animal welfare laws to determine whether there is a need to further strengthen the ability to impose animal ownership bans on people convicted of animal welfare offences. Where required, legislative amendments will be pursued to enable these changes, and I will bring forward these amendments in the near future.
I have also considered recent cases and specific questions raised with me about circumstances in which dogs are euthanased or declared dangerous. I have asked TCCS to consider whether the government might also be able to issue a clear set of criteria for these decisions in order to provide clarity to the community at the same time as these amendments are brought forward.
I can further inform the Assembly that DAS rangers recently undertook additional regulatory and animal welfare training to help improve animal welfare and regulatory outcomes. DAS has also contracted its own veterinary surgeon to ensure that seized and surrendered animals receive regular and consistent veterinary care.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video