Your sister takes her dog for a run along the beach most mornings. The by-law says dogs must be "under control" in public places. She says her dog is under control: she's with it and it's very well behaved. But you think it should be on a leash. Who is right?
If your sister is too far away from the dog to stop it retaliating if, say, a child pokes it in the face, then she does not have it under control.
She should keep the dog leashed when there are other people or animals around. However, if the dog stays close to her and calm, it would generally be considered to be under control even if it's not leashed.
A person can be fined up to $3000 for failing to keep their dog under control.
Last week, your sister's dog attacked another dog at the beach, and the other owner now wants it classified as dangerous. It's a labrador cross. What will happen?
The dog has committed an attack so your sister may be fined. The dog may be seized or destroyed unless the circumstances are exceptional.
The fact the dog is a labrador cross is irrelevant. Dog officers told us all types and breeds of dogs are involved in attacks. In one incident, an Alaskan malamute killed a Jack Russell.
Banned dogs
Four breeds of dog are banned from importation:
- American pit bull terriers
- Japanese tosas
- Dogo argentinos
- Brazilian filas
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