Heavy restrictions on pit bulls could be pared back in Wyndham if recommendations of a state parliamentary report are adopted.
An inquiry by Parliament’s economic and infrastructure committee has found that restrictions on pit bulls – which include extra security arrangements in dog-owning homes, muzzle and leash requirements for dogs when in public, mandatory desexing and a prohibition on breeding – had failed and should be lifted.
The inquiry report said it was “impossible” for councils to identify dangerous dogs just by looking at them and there was no way to tell if pit bulls were more dangerous than other dogs.
Other recommendations made by the committee include that the muzzling of non-racing greyhounds no longer be required, setting up of a database of all dog registrations and attacks, and greater penalties for owners of restricted-breed dogs who did not register them correctly or keep them securely.
Committee chairman Joshua Morris said Victoria’s breed‑specific legislation was not working.
“It has proven impossible to definitively identify pit bulls,” he said. “Councils’ efforts to do so have sometimes resulted in large costs and significant distress to owners and dogs with no benefit.
Many participants in the inquiry informed the committee that alternative approaches were more likely to reduce injuries from dog attacks. A change is clearly required.”
Wyndham council was among more than 500 submitters to the inquiry.
Corporate services director Steve Lambert said the council supported the committee’s recommendations.
“The current legislation has been both difficult in implementation and costly to councils and their communities,” he said.
Currently, 17 dangerous dogs, 19 restricted breed dogs and 20 menacing dogs are registered in Wyndham.
Mr Lambert said there had been no dog attacks in Wyndham involving restricted breed or dangerous dogs in 2015 or this year to date.
with Esther Lauaki
