Michael Ferrante - Stirling Times/Eastern Reporter editor
AMENDMENTS to WA’s Dog Act, if passed, should better protect residents from irresponsible dog owners.
New controls seek to ban the breeding, sale and transfer of restricted breeds.
The amendments also propose tougher penalties for owners of dangerous dogs, including up to 10 years in jail if the dog kills or puts a person’s life in danger, and tighter conditions on keeping them muzzled and on a leash when out in public.
But do they go far enough in giving the community adequate protection and|confidence to walk streets and parks without fear for themselves or their children?
Surely, tougher penalties should apply to all owners of all dogs that injure or kill, not just ones declared dangerous.
More onus then would be on all dog owners to ensure their dogs are properly trained, looked after and controlled when in public places.
The number of dog attacks in the district in the past 12 months shows why change is needed.