Stronger Council powers to destroy our dogs

Part II – Examining proposed changes to Victoria’s Domestic Animals Act

“Currently a dog seized while at large must be held in the pound for a minimum of eight days even if there is no way of identifying its owner. The Bill will give an authorised council officer power to destroy a dog forty-eight hours after seizure, if the dog was straying, is unidentifiable and is considered a danger to the community.”

– Domestic Animals Amendment (Dangerous Dogs) Bill 2010 : Second Reading Speech

The Bill grants Councils and their contractors the power to kill unregistered dogs on the suspicion that they might commit an offence if they were to get loose again. This is unfair for a number of reasons.

Council Officers are Not Behaviourists

Pounds hold lost dogs for a minimum of eight days to give their owners a chance to reclaim them. A lost, scared dog is likely to growl at a stranger who tries to catch it. Lost dogs are at risk from cars and an injured dog is more likely to bite a stranger handling it. How do we protect against Council officers misreading the dogs? Will they be required to have a certificate in dog behaviour before making life and death decisions about peoples pets?

Dogs Behave Differently in Pounds

“Dogs arriving in a pound do so with no known history of behaviour or aggression. In addition, many such animals are normally frightened and disorientated and are likely to show different behaviour to that shown in a domestic situation.”
– Things You Should Know About Animal Shelters and Pounds – DPI.vic.gov.au

It makes sense that a dog who’s been grabbed off the street and caged in a pound along with dozens of other unfamiliar dogs might not be her usual self. By requiring Council Officers to decide their fate in this environment the Bill is setting them up to fail. In order for the Council to destroy a seized dog,

“an authorized officer of the Council, at or after the time of the seizure of the dog, reasonably believes that the behaviour of the dog has resulted, or is likely to result, if the dog were at large, in the commission of an offence under section 29.”

Domestic Animals Amendment (Dangerous Dogs) Bill 2010 23(1)(c)

Why the Rush to Destroy?

“the council must decide whether to destroy the dog under subsection(1) within 48 hours after the record under subsection (3) is made.”
– Domestic Animals Amendment (Dangerous Dogs) Bill 2010 23(4)

Research has shown that the highest levels of stress occur in the first 72 hours after being impounded. By requiring Council officers to decide their fate during this period the Bill is setting them up to fail.

What About the Family?

There is no provision in the Bill for details of destroyed dogs to be made public. This would result in devastated owners returning again and again to pounds, unaware that their family pet had already been destroyed.

What would make more sense

Lost dogs currently remain the property of their owners for eight days after being impounded. After that time they belong to the Council holding them to dispose of how they wish. Regardless of whether the dogs registration is current, it should continue to be given the chance to be reclaimed by their owners during this eight day period.


About the Author: Mike Bailey is the founder of Goodfordogs.org and creator of the Australian Animal Shelter Map which provides much needed exposure for dogs and cats waiting in shelters for a new home.