Dangerous dogs

[Kristy_07]

Can anyone give me any information about the process used to decide whether a dog should be declared "menacing" or "dangerous"?

No professional training, or restricted breeds involved.

I understand that if a complaint is made, and an assessment is (usually?) made... but what criteria do they use to establish whether the dog is dangerous, or whether, for instance, there has been a "one-off" incident?

I'm prepared for flames, but looking for any information anyone can give me on this. Yes, there has been "an incident" with one of my dogs at home that could result in a complaint - we are now trying to work out what the best solution for all is.

Thanks

 

[Laghairt]

These decisions are made the discretion people who have to be extremely risk averse and who usually do not understand animal behavior. If you really want help you would have to tell us what happened, I know that's what you're fishing for anyway.

 

[Kristy_07]

I'm not fishing for anything other than a solution, anouc. I don't know anything about the process/criteria of how a dog is declared dangerous or not, and would like to know so that I can better base my own judgement on the situation, and therefore, what course of action I should be taking with the dogs. Do you know anything about how the assessments are done and what sort of criteria they use?

 

[Laghairt]

Yep, In fact I have designed programs for doing so but without knowing what happened I can't give you any guidance. I have to get on with other stuff no so won't be able to help you.

 

[Kristy_07]

But you're not willing to help unless I say that I'm fishing? Or just not willing to help?

 

[craig.a.c]

All dogs bite, therefore they are all dangerous.

What a joke, it all comes down to how the dog has been brought up and thats it.

 

[Kitmin]

Kristy I think it depends on the council or local govt that you live under as well, you should probably google your local website. We had a dalmation cross that lived with small children that could do anything with her , however one day she got out of the yard , ran over the road and took a large bite out of the dog that was walking past. Completely unprovoked and completely my fault for opening the gate.

They complained to our council and she was declared dangerous. Which mean she was to be locked in an enclosure and walked out of the yard wearing a muzzle. This was a one off complaint with no other prior incidents.

 

[Kristy_07]

Kitmin - I am facing a similar situation, although, from what I understand, there was not too much physical damage to the other dog (which will will be paying for, of course). I've just learned the assessment is based almost entirely on the incident, with no other background information or behavioural consideration taking place.

Bit upset, not sure where this will go from here.

 

[Kristy_07]

Thanks, Kitmin.

 

[hypochondroac]

Kitmin is right i think, it varies from place to place.
I know of a dogue de bordeaux that attacked and killed a cat that enetered it's yard, each of the animals owners discussed the matter but apparently while the dogs owners were out the council was called and the dog was collected and put to death, all without any notice or communication.

This happened a few years ago now, i believe the death penalty isn't as immediate these days.. though the dogs are required to be muzzled and contained like Kitmin mentioned.

A large part of the judgement call is with the victims and how they judge the situation, and if the dog happens to be of a certain breed they do tend to get more strict, small dogs are often looked over.

I hope things work out for you Kristy.

 

[cosmicwolf4]

I know in South Australaia there has to be signs on the house, the dog has to be muzzled at all times in public AND has to ear a special coloured collar to identify it as dangerous. The councils also check fencing etc to make sure the dog can't escape.
I have dogs who are well socialised, but for my peace of mind I have 2.5 metre fencing and a chain with padlock on the gate AND a link over the top of the gate. Not because mine are dangerous, but because other people DO have aggressive dogs who attack and your dog is at risk of being blamed for the attack

 

[Dipcdame]

hypochondroac, that is pretty extreme!!!!!! What a sheme for the dog.

Kristy, if an agreement is made between the parties concerned, and it's amicable, then perhaps just leaving things be would be the thing to do, unless you aren't comfortable with that and feel you need to report it, even theough the other party is ok with things, so try making a hyperthetical call to your council, and see what info you can glean from them. If they are ok with the parties coming to an agreement, then perhaps you can edge in some information to let them know who it's about incase somebody else rings them to report it!!!!

Either way, good luck, I wish you all the best in this, keep us posted on how things go?

 

[dossy]

hypochondroac it is illegal to just take a dog from a yard even for councils and govornment. it comes with the tressparsing act and the entering of a property with intent to steal. but if they did give notice then it is normaly not taken to court because they will normaly lose. ok if your dog attacks a human inside the fence ( even if they jumped the fence) then it can be put to death if it attacks a human out of you fance it most probibly be put to sleep. if it attacks a wild animal and you do not do anything about it ie help it/ put it out of its misery the dog can be court orded to wear a muzzle and if it attacks some1 elses animal/ pet it is normly how ever far the person wants to take it. so if these people have taken it to the cops and ask it to be put to sleep then the chances are it will be ( i completly disagree with this but if you have decided to let a dog off the leash then the law basicly sees it as u are willing to accept that it will harm people and that is should be put to sleep.) if you had it on a leash and it bit the dog then its probly a warning. along with the muzzle most states say that you must have atleast 2 warning signes up warning people that you have a dangoures dog...my alsashion sits up on a brick wall just insie out fence and if people hang in the walk way next to our house to long she will stand up and normly they rack off. there was one incedent were she stole a guys hat but he wasnt game to take her on to get it back. ring up your local councile because they will be able to give you better / more accurate info bout this. but realy just try talking to the victms owners and offer to pay 4 the damage and mayb like 2 bags of kible or something. try 2 bribe them with out making it look like ur tryn to bribe them ...hope your dog is ok keep us posted on what happens

sorry about all the text
ps u can also challange the verdict in the local courts if it happens to turn out bad.

 

[Kristy_07]

I have dogs who are well socialised, but for my peace of mind I have 2.5 metre fencing and a chain with padlock on the gate AND a link over the top of the gate. Not because mine are dangerous, but because other people DO have aggressive dogs who attack and your dog is at risk of being blamed for the attack

Ours are social, also, and unable to escape. The incident happened at an off-leash park.

 

[Slinkstar]

What is a dangerous dog?

Under the domestic Animal Act 1994, there are two ways a dog can be classified as dangerous. They are:

• automatic classification based on a dog’s role – When a dog is used to guard a non-residential property, or
• assessment by the the local shire:
  • when a dog that has been trained to attack or bite someone or anything attached to or worn by a person
  • if a dog has seriously injured a person or animal by attacking or biting, or is declared a menacing dog.Dangerous dog owners have a responsibility to protect the community (including themselves) from any potential harm.
    These responsibilities are outlined in the Act. Heavy penalties apply for owners of dangerous dogs, who do not comply with these requirements.
    If you own a dangerous dog, you should receive information about your obligations at the time of the declaration. However, even if you don’t it is still your responsibility to make sure you fulfil all requirements. These relate to:
  • providing clear and always-visible identification showing that the dog is dangerous
  • registrating the dog appropriately (ie as a dangerous dog)
  • providing appropriate homing for the dog
  • providing appropriate control measures to prevent the dog from harming anyone or getting loose.

 

[Laghairt]

Kitmin is right i think, it varies from place to place.
I know of a dogue de bordeaux that attacked and killed a cat that enetered it's yard, each of the animals owners discussed the matter but apparently while the dogs owners were out the council was called and the dog was collected and put to death, all without any notice or communication.

That is criminal, the owner could have sued the council over that as the dog was simply following it's natural prey drive (the drive to chase a moving object) which has nothing to do with whether it is dangerous or not. I used to know a service dog who lived in a house with a cat and the two actually got on very well. This dog had CRAZY prey drive and one day we were having a BBQ when the cat ran across the yard so the dog chased and killed it right in front of us. We couldn't believe it as the dog would let that particular cat eat from his food bowl and they would sleep together etc, it's just that his prey drive was so high he reacted to the cat running even though they were fine together inside the house.

The definition of a dangerous dog as far as the law goes is fuzzy at best and depends on your jurisdiction. Depending on the circumstances a legal challenge would have a good chance of success given that most people in the council know FA about dogs.

 

[dossy]

Ours are social, also, and unable to escape. The incident happened at an off-leash park.

then it should be fine it will be dismissed (probibly) and u just pay 4 damage

 

[Laghairt]

Ours are social, also, and unable to escape. The incident happened at an off-leash park.

I made a post about the dangers of dog parks a few weeks ago. You should NEVER take your dog to an off leash dog park, it's one of the worst things you can do for a number of reasons, this being just one of them.

 

[Kristy_07]

Thank you, for the info, dossy & Slinkstar

Unfortunately, it isn't a very clear-cut circumstance as to who initiated the aggression or why, which will be a determining factor in the investigation. The other dog has been aggressive in the past, and ours was on-lead when the fight started (until he slipped his check-chain). But, ours is bigger, and the other dog walked away with some damage to his front leg, either a puncture or ripped skin, we're not sure. We're unsure whether the damage was caused by our dog or one of the 6 others that jumped on board, or of how much damage was done. Regardless of what happens to our dog, we will try to contact the owners to resolve the financial side of the matter.

 

[Kristy_07]

Thanks, anouc. You've been very helpful. If you have any insight into how we can avoid having our dog declared as dangerous, please let me know.