WA: Govt introduces laws to sterilise fighting dogs

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2005
WA: Govt introduces laws to sterilise fighting dogs

PERTH, Dec 7 AAP - The West Australian government has introduced new laws requiring
American pit bull terriers to be sterilised in a bid to breed the species out of existence.

Local Government Minister John Bowler today said the amendment to existing legislation
would require owners of American pit bull dogs to prove their dogs were sterilised.

If owners failed to comply with the new regulations, which come into effect in three
months, they face fines of $5,000 and their dogs destroyed, he said.

The new regulations also covered mixed-breed dogs which visibly contain one of the
traits of the restricted breed.

Mr Bowler said stringent standards already existed covering the ownership of these
dogs, including being kept in special compounds and muzzled when in public.

He said, however, the new regulations could effectively breed the dogs out in 14 to 15 years.

"It gives assurance to those that have the dogs now that they can keep those dogs for
their natural life," Mr Bowler said.

Mr Bowler said he expected breeders to be upset.

"I expect breeders who make money out of breeding these dogs to be upset and oppose
my move but I have got overwhelming support from most of the people in Western Australia,
particularly those with children and those with dogs because these dogs are bred to attack
other dogs," he said.

Geoff Holt, from Hillarys in Perth's north, who witnessed an attack on his own dog
and son by pit bulls several months ago supported the new regulations.

Two pit bulls, who were off-lead and not muzzled, attacked and latched on to the leg
of the family's six-month-old weimaraner puppy at the local dog beach.

"My son had tried to intervene and had gotten his hand bitten by the pit bull," Mr Holt said.

The puppy survived but required hours of surgery.

AAP den/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: DOGS

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