In the response to the government's proposed ban on re-homing dogs deemed "menacing", the SPCA has started a petition to oppose any such policies.
They believe by making it illegal for animal shelters to re-home dogs of certain breeds, the Government are effectively condemning them to die.
Acting SPCA New Zealand CEO Andrea Midgen believes breed-specific legislation does not work.
'Evidence shows this legislation does not reduce dog attacks or make communities safer for people or animals,” says Andrea.
'Many countries who have breed specific legislation are repealing these laws – just a few weeks ago the state of Victoria in Australia repealed theirs.”
According to Andrea, the SPCA's preferred approach is to judge dogs based on their behaviour, not their breed or visual appearance.
'Our view based on the available, international scientific evidence, is that any dog may be dangerous and that dogs should not be declared ‘dangerous' or ‘menacing' on the basis of breed alone. We're not alone in this view.
'The Veterinary Associations and SPCAs of New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Canada and America do not support breed-specific legislation due to being ineffective and not protecting the public from dog attacks.”
She stresses there is no conclusive data on dog bites in relation to breed, although she agrees it is a sensitive issue in the community.
'It's important to note the Government doesn't know the true extent of dog bites in New Zealand because there is no central repository of dog bite statistics.
'Dog attacks are a major societal problem requiring a serious and effective long-term solution and our hearts go out to any family that is affected by this.”
Tauranga City Council Animal Service's Team Leader Brent Lincoln says pit bull-type dogs are disproportionately represented in dog attack prosecutions.
'American pit bulls represent 1.2 per cent of the dog population in Tauranga, but form 40 per cent of the prosecutions for serious attacks, either against people or other domestic animals.”
Brent says the government's proposal is not final yet, but would be part of the solution to reducing pit bull attacks.
'Council has put up their own recommendations to the government, and we're currently waiting for a response.”
The SPCA's petition already has more than 50,000 signatures. Supporters can add theirs here. https://www.change.org/p/the-new-zealand-government-join-spca-s-fight-to-save-innocent-lives
13 comments
Bad dogs
Posted on 13-10-2016 12:36 | By Chris
The SPCA believes that by disallowing rehoming of viscious dogs they are being condemned to death....well yes, SPCA, I believe this is the obvious intent, and the correct course of action for these animals. The bleeding hearts can make all the noise they want, the statistics speak for themselves. Pit bulls and other menacing dogs have no place in this country.
K9
Posted on 13-10-2016 12:39 | By stephennel
Well, if you care more about vicious dogs than children, then go for it.
people problem
Posted on 13-10-2016 14:03 | By chipshop
I don't dislike Pit Bulls, but I do dislike the kind of people who want to own them, if we could fix them it might help this anti social problem. Dogs are a product of there environment and losers like Pit Bulls.
Menacing?
Posted on 13-10-2016 14:29 | By clingon
Chris states: 'Menacing dogs have no place in this country'. What about menacing people that own dogs that become a reflection of their owners? Those people by Chris' definition surely have no place in this country either. More people are killed by 'menacing people' than by dogs. I have a pitbull cross dog classed as 'menacing', rescued as a pup from a possible worse life, she is now spayed, chipped & walks muzzled with me because of Council requirements but she is not a danger to others & has an intelligent personality, possibly because of the way I have bought her up. Let's sort the menacing people out & leave the dogs alone...
Not the dog fault, its the owners
Posted on 13-10-2016 14:48 | By This Guy
There is nothing wrong with pit bulls, they are incredibly sweet and loveable, the problem is always with the owner who can't be bothered to train them. Without proper training ANY breed of dog can be a danger. Maybe its just because I was raised not to judge people by their appearance and/or ethnicity, but condemning an untold number of innocent animals to death for the actions of others just seems incredibly wrong.
@Chris
Posted on 13-10-2016 15:36 | By BennyBenson
You don't know what you're talking about. SPCA has never allowed rehoming of any "vicious" dogs. BSL condemns dogs that look like a certain breed, not taking into account temperament at all..there is a BIG difference. So if all Pit breeds are eliminated then what..what breed goes next? German Shepherds? Legislation needs to be in place to deal with the crap owners that turn dogs into a menace in the first place. Pit Bulls gone..they will find another breed to screw up!
Overit
Posted on 13-10-2016 15:39 | By overit
I remember a time before pit bulls were common here, and there were few problems then. The US has taken a hard line on them, so all you bleeding hearts pro "pitties" learn something from that.
Now we pay the price
Posted on 13-10-2016 16:00 | By SonnyJim
The dumb decision to let pit-bulls into the country now bites us in the backside. The pious stance taken by the dog importers of the time that they would take all due care has had the same result as the dumb importation koi carp.
Pit Bulls
Posted on 13-10-2016 17:46 | By Peaches
I feel for all the families that have been affected by these dogs, who have been hurt badly and lost family members, I feel for all the hard work they have put in to try and get the government to take action, by having to relive the event to tell their stories and finally it is looking positive till the SPCA stick there orr in, half the time they got no idea what the hell they are doing, it going to save them a lot of money in the long run and work, so stupid, Yes there were a few problems before Pit bulls but it is these breeds that have the strong locking jaws that are doing the damage. Lets get on and get the problem sorted once and for all, I will not sign the petition!!
@overit
Posted on 13-10-2016 19:10 | By BennyBenson
What is this hard line the US has taken on Pit Bulls that you speak of? There is no blanket ban on pitties in the US. Individual cities have implemented BSL over the years since the 80's, esp in areas where dog fighting is a real issue, however, a large number are now reversing that because it's ineffective, along with individual states passing laws to "prevent" local governments passing "breed-specific legislation," making it illegal for cities to pass bans targeting pit bulls or any other breed. So what can we learn from them? That it doesn't work! Most dogs people "think" are Pit Bulls are such a mix of breeds anyway and how much Pit Bull do they have to have in them to be deemed worthy of destruction? And who gets to decide which are Pit Bulls? DNA test ea one?
Bite me.
Posted on 13-10-2016 19:10 | By morepork
I believe that dogs reflect their owners and I haven't seen any proposed legislation to give menacing owners a "little needle"... Nevertheless, it is VERY hard to argue with: "American pit bulls represent 1.2 per cent of the dog population in Tauranga, but form 40 per cent of the prosecutions for serious attacks..." I don't currently own a dog, although I have had many over the years. As a child, I had an English bull terrier that never harmed anyone, least of all me... I consider myself a "dog lover" (they seem to reciprocate...) but these statistics are compelling. On this occasion I believe the SPCA are misguided; on track record, this is a breed we can live without. I'd rather see a dog put down than see another child mutilated. The risk of "re-homing" is unacceptable to me, although many will, quite properly, disagree.
Morepork
Posted on 14-10-2016 00:49 | By BennyBenson
The problem is that most of the degenerate dog owners we have are drawn to this particular breed and look of dog. If these same owners instead favoured Dobermans or German Shepherds, those breeds would start to feature more predominantly in these statistics. Removing a certain breed will not stop these irresponsible owners from creating a vicious monster out of whatever other breed they favour next. Any legislation needs to aimed at the real problem..the owners.
BSL BS
Posted on 14-10-2016 21:47 | By Joanne
Chris, if the veterinary profession say that each dog should be judged on a case-by-case basis and that there is no need for the BSL then I am much more inclined to listen to the experts than statistics. The statistics reflect the poor ownership of pit bulls, not poor canine temperament. BSL will not stop dog attacks. Quite simply, other breeds will fill the statistics.
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