Owners of dogs responsible for attacks could face jail
Robyn Wuth |
Jail time for the owners of dogs that cause death or grievous bodily harm is under consideration after a spate of serious attacks in Queensland.
Heftier fines for owners who fail to control their animals are also in the works after a meeting of the state’s dangerous dog task force on Wednesday.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said he “didn’t need much persuasion” to follow other jurisdictions and introduce prison for the most serious incidents.
There was a case to be made “when you consider the examples … we’ve heard of late, in terms of people that have been either mauled or killed as a result of dangerous dogs”, the minister told reporters.
Other proposed measures include on-the-spot fines for off-leash dogs and a statewide ban on dog breeds prohibited for import by the Commonwealth.
There might be reason to consult with the Commonwealth about whether the list of restricted breeds needed to be added to, Mr Furner said.
Councils are also concerned about the time it takes when matters involving dogs are appealed and go to tribunal hearings.
“One council in particular … has incurred more than $300,000 in the cost to detain an animal while an appeal is under way,” Local Government Association of Queensland CEO Alison Smith said.
Dog owners currently face maximum fines of up to $42,000.
A discussion paper will be developed to gather community feedback on the proposed measures and the group will meet again in late May.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk recalled the task force after several children were injured in attacks across the state last week.
The premier said owners must be responsible for their pets.
“Enough is enough,” Ms Palaszczuk told parliament on Wednesday.
“The onus is on dog owners – they have a duty of care. They must accept responsibility for their pets and their pets’ behaviour.”
Ms Palaszczuk warned it was time to get tougher as the number of attacks increased.
“I’ve also been sickened by reports of small dogs being attacked and often killed by larger animals whilst out walking with their owners,” she said.
“We should all feel safe in our own yards or out on the streets. It’s time to get tougher.”
The dangerous dog task force was created in 2021 to review animal control laws overseen by Mr Furner.
AAP
