Synopsis | The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Dog Act 1976 and the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and to repeal the Dog (Restricted Breeds) Regulations (No. 2) 2002 to introduce a range of measures for: stricter control of dangerous dogs: covering restricted breeds, individuals' dogs that have been declared dangerous, and commercial security dogs; the ban of the sale, transfer and breeding of dangerous dogs (restricted breeds); improvements in the ability for local governments to deal with the nuisance caused by barking dogs; microchipping of new dogs from 1 November 2013 and all other dogs by 1 November 2016; expansion of provisions for guide dogs to accommodate new types of trained assistance dogs; new provisions to enable retired racing greyhounds to to safely return to the community as household pets; increased penalties for offences under the Act, with minimum penalties stipulated for offences in relation to dangerous dogs; the introduction of a criminal offence where a dangerous dog kills a person or puts a person's life in danger; and
new provisions to enable courts to impose a requirement for dog owners to attend and complete a dog training course in place of or in addition to a penalty. |