AUSTRALIANS AGAINST BSL

Australians Against BSL advocate against breed descriminatory legislation and educate the community on not only their rights, but their responsibilities as dog owners. Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is any legislation that targets one particular breed of dog (or any suspected crosses). This may range from automatically declaring an entire breed "dangerous" and placing restrictions on their ownership, up to current proposals to ban entire breeds and completely eradicate them from society. BSL does not consider the individual dog, it's past actions and behaviour or the way the dog has been raised and treated by its owner. Just being of the "wrong" breed is all it takes - the dog is assumed to be guilty until proven innocent! Every dog has the potential to bite - regardless of breed. It is up to us, as responsible owners, to raise our dogs correctly, so they can become valuable members of our community. Dog owners must be educated on responsible dog ownership and held responsible for their dogs actions.

 

We want to see an improvement in community safety, without unfairly singling out specific breeds. It is our aim to educate the public on the correct way to prevent dog bites and attacks, and the myths associated with introduction of BSL.

 

It is our opinion that the solution is not to abolish an entire breed, but to encourage responsible ownership of dogs of all breeds. BSL only succeeds in creating a false sense of security with the public, who believe only restricted/and or banned breeds can be dangerous.

 

AS RESPONSIBLE OWNERS, WE SHOULD AIM FOR THE FOLLOWING:

• Sterilisation of all dogs, regardless of breed or sex, unless an ethical, registered breeder

• Registration and microchipping of all dogs to guard against theft and increase the rates of dogs being reunited with owners

• Secure fencing and gates, ensuring dogs cannot escape under any circumstances

• To keep dogs on lead at all times, unless in a secure or designated off lead area, and your dog is well socialised and trained

• Encourage dog training and socialisation with other children/animals from a young age, which continues throughout the dogs life

• Provide dogs with a safe, loving, caring environment free from neglect, mistreatment and/or abuse

 

AS A COMMUNITY WE SHOULD FOCUS ON:

• Harsher penalties for owners of dogs which cause serious injury/death to a human, to hold owners accountable for their dog's behaviour, not the dog itself

• Education of children on how to approach, greet and behave around dogs, including the introduction of school based, age appropriate educational programs

• Ensuring owners of dogs, who have been involved in serious attacks, comply with requirements that will minimalise their dog being a risk to community safety again, regardless of breed.