Laws protecting people and animals from dangerous and restricted breeds of dogs will be reviewed by a Victorian parliamentary inquiry.
Parliament’s economy and infrastructure committee will consider whether current laws encourage responsible dog ownership and protect the community and environment.
As well as canvassing community concerns, the inquiry will investigate issues around the moratorium on putting down restricted-breed dogs when problems arise.
Committee chairman Joshua Morris said the inquiry would address long-standing community concerns about the adequacy of the state’s laws in preventing dog attacks.
“The issue of dangerous dogs and, in particular, restricted-breed dogs invokes strong views in the community,” Mr Morris said.
“There have been well-documented cases of serious, and occasionally fatal, dog attacks, which have led to calls for stronger action from government.”
Mr Morris said the inquiry would hear from a wide range of people and make recommendations aimed at strengthening both community safety and fairness to the dogs and dog owners at the centre of the inquiry.
Brimbank council will prepare a submission.
The council’s city development director, Stuart Menzies, said it would use feedback from staff and previous hearings, as well as community responses from the council’s Facebook page.
The council investigated 276 dog attacks between 2011 and 2013, including one fatal dog attack: the horrific case of four-year-old St Albans girl Ayen Chol, who was attacked by a pitbull-cross that had escaped a neighbouring property.
“The Ayen Chol case was a tragedy,” Mr Menzies said.
“Council is mindful of the coroner’s findings and will make every effort to administer the Domestic Animals Act and promote responsible pet ownership.”
Between 2010 to 2013, more than 26,000 domestic animal complaints were lodged with Brimbank council, including complaints about nuisance pets and dogs causing problems for other domestic animals and wildlife.
In 2014, there were more than 6000 complaints and, from January to March this year, the council recorded 1528 complaints.
Mr Menzies said the council investigated all reports about dangerous dogs and restricted breeds.
The council’s most recent involvement with a restricted-breed dog case ended last year. It concerned the case of an unregistered Sunshine West dog, Mylo, found wandering in May 2012 and subsequently placed on death row. He was returned to owners last December.
Submissions to the Domestic Animals Act inquiry will be taken until July 10. Details: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/eic
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