Page 526 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 20 February 2019
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reasonable circumstances. Any further changes to the relinquishment process can be easily designed and implemented through internal processes or simply changing the existing fees instrument without the need to amend the primary legislation.
It is important to note that already fewer than half of dogs surrendered to DAS actually involve a relinquishment fee being charged as the fee is waived in cases of hardship. For other organisations that rescue dogs, such as the RSPCA, relinquishment fees are still issued and can be paid through smaller instalments over time as opposed to being waived entirely, as is also the case at DAS. This is because DAS is very supportive of encouraging owners to relinquish unwanted pets in a safe and responsible way.
There are, however, some circumstances where the relinquishment fee is appropriate, and this contributes to supporting the essential services provided by DAS, in particular caring for and preparing relinquished dogs for rehoming or handling relinquished dangerous dogs.
Potential barriers to the relinquishment of dogs, such as requiring appointments, are also easily removed through internal processes as opposed to legislative processes. These are simple changes that should not be included within a primary piece of legislation. It is also worth noting that the ACT has one of the lowest fees for the relinquishment of dogs in the entire region.
I am pleased that DAS is continually adapting to assist in managing the increased reporting of dog attacks and harassments that have followed from increased awareness throughout the community. In 2019 we will be seeing more rangers on the ground more often, and complaints of dog attacks, harassments, nuisance behaviour, and noise complaints being dealt with more swiftly and efficiently.
DAS rangers will be better equipped to push forward the vital education and awareness campaigns that are targeted and proactive to raise awareness of responsible pet ownership, how to be safe around dogs both in the home and in public. I am very confident we will see the benefits of these improvements very soon with all the work that has been undertaken in the domestic animal space in recent years, including the animal welfare and management strategy 2017-22, the government amendments to the Domestic Animals Act undertaken in 2017, and the government’s response to the independent review into dog management.
We now have reached a point where we can build on our progress and push for further change from the ground up rather than continually making legislative changes that act as a barrier to achieving best-practice outcomes. Case studies from other jurisdictions in Australia and internationally have shown that the issue of dog attacks is complex and multidimensional and cannot be solved unless significant focus is placed on those responsible—people. The opposition bill instead places the focus onto dogs, with each proposed amendment offering no impact on the incidence of dog attacks in Canberra.
The proposed amendments in the opposition’s bill would create administrative, financial, operational and strategic roadblocks to achieving the ultimate goal of reducing dog attacks and becoming a national and international leader in domestic
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