Veterinary Behaviourist’s View of DDL & BSL Dr Jacqui Ley BVSc (Hons) FANZCVs(Veterinary Behaviour)PhD Dip ECAWBM www.drjacquiley.com.au
Overview What does a Veterinary Behaviourist do within Dangerous Dog and Breed Specific Legislation Problems with Dangerous Dog legislation Problems with Breed Specific legislation AVA Position My Perfect World…
The Vet Behaviourist and the DD Engaged by owners to undertake temperament assessment of dogs Councils are seeking to destroy/declare dangerous under the Domestic Animals Act • Expert witness • Explain the dog's behaviour and give a reasoned opinion of the chances of the dog doing it again • Recommend control measures
My Experience Since November 2013, I have been involved with 9 dog attack cases. 7 went on to council/court/VCAT • 5/7 were dog bites to other animals; • 1/7 bite to elderly man; 1/7 knocked down a child • causing injury 1 case BSL used to seek euthanasia; • Council is now applying for destruction through • Dangerous Dog Sections of DAA 7/7 were first offenses for aggression; • the dogs were out due to human error / malfunction • of gates, fences, doors, locks or control systems.
My Experience 7/7 cases the council attempted to apply destruction • orders despite dangerous dog declarations not requiring this 6/7 Dogs were/are still impounded for lengthy periods • 6/7 information from the councils changed • 7/7 Owners were not given information about • enclosures etc…. Not referred to the Code of Practice for the Private • Keeping of Dogs 7/7 Families are frustrated, angry and frightened for • their dogs
My Experience Council questions show a lack of • understanding of dog behaviour “Taste for blood” • “Pack” • Siberian husky - looks wolf like so it must be • dangerous
Dangerous Dog Legislation Unnecessary Properly implemented dog control laws existed to • manage dogs Leash and control laws • Requirement to have secure area at home/place of • residence Enclosures- confining dogs away from their • owners is not in the best interests and welfare of dogs Too many ways to kill dogs when it is not • necessary
BSL So flawed it is laughable • Appearance does not dictate behaviour • Same large Powerful breeds are 'legal‘ • Others are not, based solely on appearance • Research: • Appearance doesn't identify dogs accurately (Voith, V; Ingram, E:, • Mitsouras, K; Irizarry,K.2009 Comparison of Adoption Agency Breed Identification and DNA Breed Identification of Dogs Journal Of Applied Animal Welfare Science 12:3, 253-262 ) Pit bulls and other restricted breeds are no more aggressive • than other dogs (Schalke, E; Ott, S.A; von Gaertner, A.M; Hackbarth, H; Mittmann, A (2008) Is breed-specific legislation justified? Study of the results of the temperament test of Lower Saxony J Veter Behav: Clin App Res Vol.3(3), May 2008, pp. 97-103.) BSL is being dismantled Overseas. • Europe Germany, Netherlands, Spain • United States, Canada • United Kingdom • Australia???? •
AVA Position AustralianVeterinary Association does not support Breed Specific Legislation Deed not Breed Australian Veterinary Association does support sensible Dangerous Dog Legislations
AVA Position AVA Document Dangerous dogs – a sensible solution Policy and model legislative • framework August 2012 On-Line: • https://www.ava.com.au/sites/default/files/AVA_website/pdfs/Dangerous %20dogs%20-%20a%20sensible%20solution%20FINAL.pdf (Google: AVA Dangerous Dogs Legislation)
AVA Position Plan for Managing Dogs and minimising bites in our communities Identification and registration of all dogs. • A national reporting system with mandatory reporting of all dog bite • incidents to the national database. Temperament testing • to understand the risks and needs of individual animals, • to help owners make more appropriate choices for their new pets • to guide breeders to improve the temperament of puppies. • Comprehensive education programs for pet owners, dog breeders, all • parents and all children. Enforcement of all dog management regulations. • Resourcing is often a major barrier to effective enforcement, and this problem • needs to be addressed effectively to achieve tangible reductions in dog bite incidents.
In My Perfect World…. • Educate Dog Owners about normal dog behaviour • Council staff that manage dog issues • Normal dog behaviour • Human animal bond •
In My Perfect World…. • Police the Dog Laws identify unregistered dogs • dogs off lead • fencing •
In My Perfect World…. • Treat each case on an individual basis Dog bites will happen • Recognise that for some bite/injuries they • are true accidents Solutions can be found that satisfy the • victim and that will reduce the chances of reoccurrence while allowing dogs to stay with their families Monitor and take action for non- • compliance before another incident
In My Perfect World…. • Dismantle BSL WOFTAM • • Educate Dog Owners- Normal dog behaviour • Responsible dog ownership • • Educate Public Normal dog behaviour • • Educate Rangers As before • • Treat each case individually
Thank You
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