pitgal

THE GOLD COAST COUNCIL IS REVIEWING ITS CONTROVERSIAL DOG LAWS AFTER SUCCESSFUL COURT ACTION BY ANGRY PET OWNERS. COUNCIL BUREAUCRATS HAVE ADMITTED TO FLAEWS IN THE SYSTEM AFTER AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRES TERRIERS WERE MISTAKEN FOR BANNED PIT BULLS. A NEW REPOT ON THE ISSUE, TO BE CONSIDERED BY GOLD COAST COUNCIL ON MONDAY, LISTS REPEALING THE CONTENTIONS LAS AS ONE OPTION TO CIRCUMVENT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT SAYS THAT WOULD RAISE DANGEROUS ISSUES OF LIABILITY AND COULD ENCOURAGE AN INFLUX OF PIT BULL'S TO THE CITY. IT IS MORE LIKELY COUNCELLORS WILL AGREE TO A SIGNIFICANT ABOUT TURN ON THIER STRICT DOG POLICY BY ALLOWING BELATED REGISTRATION OF PIT BULLS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE GOLD COAST FOR YEARS. THE POTENTIAL CHANGES COME AFTER LAST WEEKS LAND MARK COURT CASE WHICH SAW AN ALLEGED UNREGISTERED PIT BULL RETURNED TO ITS OWNER ALTHOUGH THE COUNCIL CLAIMED IT SHOULD BE DESTROYED. FONZIE WAS RESCUED FROM DEATH ROW AFTER HIS OWNER SUCCESSFULLY CLAIMED HIS PET WAS AN AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER. THE CITY COUNCIL'S TOUGH DOG LAWS CAME INTO EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER 2003 PROHIBITING PIT BULLS AND THERE CROSSBREEDS BEING REGISTERED IN THE CITY . THOSE ALREADY REGISTERED WITH THE COUNCIL WERE ABLE TO REMAIN FOR LIFE. THE NEW REPORT, BY COUNCIL'S ANIMAL MANAGEMENT DIVISION ADMITS THERE ARE SUFFICENT PROBLEM WITH BREED IDENTIFICATION BECAUSE PIT BULLS AND AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRES ARE SO SIMILAR. THE REPORT RECOMMENDS INCREASED TRAINING OF COUNCIL OFFICERS SO THEY CAN BE BETTER IDENTIFY DANGEROUS DOGS. ITS ALSO RECOMMENDS THE DOG LAWS BE CHANGED SO RESIDENTS WHO HAVE OWNED A DANGEROUS DOG FOR YEARS, BUT WHERE NOT AWARE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BELATEDLY REGISTER THEIR PET. UNDER THE CURRENT LAW ANY UNREGISTERED DOG DETERMINED TO BE A PIT BULL IS DESTROYED. MAYOR RON CLARKE SAID THAT HE WANTED A VETERINARY PANEL SET UP INSTEAD OF USING COUNCIL OFFICERS TO IDENTIFY DANGEROUS DOGS . HOWEVER, THE AUSTRALIAN VETERNARIAN ASSOCIATION DID NOT SUPPORT THE MOVE. "AT LEAST WE CAN AMEND THE LAW SO PEOPLE WHO WERE CAUGHT SHORT AND DIDN'T NO THERE DOG WAS BANNED CAN STILL GET A PERMIT," SAID CR.CLARKE. HE SAID REPEALING THE DANGEROUS DOG LAWS WAS SIMPLY NOT A FEASIBLE OPTION FOR THE COUNCIL . "THAT LEAVES US WIDE OPEN FOR LITIGATION HE SAID,"HE SAID. AS LONG AS WE CAN MAKE SURE PEOPLE RETAIN THIER PETS IF THEY ARE WELL BEHAVED , AND THATS'S BALANCED WITH BETTER TRAINING FOR OUR OFFICERS, THE SITUATION IS GOOD" ACTING HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES CHAIRWOMEN CR JAN GREW SAID THE PROBLEM REGARDING THE IDENTIFICATION OF PIT BULLS WAS NOT RESTRICTED TO GOLD COAST CITY COUNCIL. "ITS AN ISSUE GLOBALLY, " SAID CR GREW. "ITS IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABSOLUTELY SURE OF THE BREED OF THE DOG", AND THAT'S QUITE DIFFICULT WHEN WE HAVE CROSSBREEDS. "THATS WHY WE WILL HAVE INCREASED IDENTIFICATION TRAINING. I AM OVER THE MOON, LETS CALL IT THE BEATTIE SIDE STEP. TYBRAX NEWS- A CASE WILL BE BOUGHT FORWARD AGAINST THE GOLD COAST COUNCIL IT WILL BE A TEST CASE TO MAKE WAY FOR FUTURE LAWSUITS FOR COMPENSATION. FOR INFO CONTACT [email][email protected][/email] pitgal - tybrax

Axe death for pit bull mating flop By CHARLES WATERHOUSE 11dec04 A MAN'S attempt to mate his pit bull terrier ended with him axing a male dog to death and seriously injuring his own animal. Michael Thomas Walsh went into action with the axe when the male attacked his female dog in a back yard where he had left them to get acquainted. He killed the male by hitting it three times on its head and once on its rear. The female was struck twice with the side of the axe and was so badly hurt she had to be put down by the RSPCA. Walsh, 38, of Currajong St, Mornington, pleaded guilty in the Hobart Magistrates Court to two charges yesterday. They were: Committing an act which resulted in the death of an animal. And committing an act which resulted in the serious disablement of an animal. Prosecutor Simon Nicholson said at 11am on August 2, Walsh put his female in the back yard of a Risdon Vale house with the male pit bull. The pair had been put together for two weeks, in the hope they would mate. But at 7pm the less-than-amorous male started attacking the female. An attempt was made to break up the fighting without success -- then Walsh picked up an axe. When questioned, Walsh said there was no other way to part the dogs. John Green, for Walsh, said the male would have killed the female. He also said Walsh hit the female with the axe to try to put her out of her misery, as the animal was obviously dying. "It sounds more serious than it was," he said. "It was an attempt to mate two dogs which went terribly wrong." Magistrate Peter Dixon imposed a community service order of 105 hours. Mr Dixon said the actions of Walsh clearly were spontaneous. He said the facts did not warrant jail. "Maybe in the cool grey light of day you could have used other actions," Mr Dixon said. The facts did not warrant jail , my god this man gets 105 hrs community services. I cannot believe this, what ever happened to justice. tybrax, tyra The Mercury paper Tasmania.

Fonzie wins the day and his life 6Nov04 THE Gold Coast City Council's dangerous dog laws have been left wide open after a magistrate found major flaws in how breeds were identified. Fonzie, the alleged pitbull terrier that has been on death row for four months, will be set free for a heart-warming reunion with owner Justin Taylor today, but the bigger picture should be of far more concern to the council. Magistrate Jennifer Batts yesterday said she was not satisfied that the council's dog control officers had sufficient qualifications to determine the breed of suspected dangerous dogs. Mr Taylor, a quadriplegic, went to court to win back his 'best mate' after Fonzie which Mr Taylor claims is actually a staffordshire terrier was picked up by animal control officers in July and identified as a pitbull, using a questionnaire-style criteria test. The American pitbull is one of four types of dog banned on the Gold Coast. Lawyers for Mr Taylor successfully argued the officers were hardly experts in identifying breeds of dogs and that the identification process itself was too open to interpretation. The court was told the total training given to council officers in identifying dog breeds amounted to a one-day seminar, and a dog could be identified as 'dangerous' if it scored more than 70 per cent in a 16-point test. That did not satisfy Ms Batts. "She (council animal control officer Selina Neill) does not have either the experience, or the training, to qualify as an expert," said Ms Batts before quashing the destruction order. Lawyers for Mr Taylor had brought along their own 'expert', a leading veterinary surgeon, but his testimony was noteven required. Mr Taylor, who has relied on Fonzie's companionship since a surfing accident left him in a wheelchair five years ago, buried his head in his hands as the verdict was read out. He was overjoyed at the result. "It's great. It's disappointing that we had to go through all this hassle to prove what I already knew, but I'm very happy," he said. "I'm going to have my best mate by my side again. I will be there (to the pound) first thing in the morning to bring him home." Acting for Mr Taylor, barrister Jack Pappas said the outcome showed there were serious problems with the council's protocol. "The legislation is unworkable and it does not stand up under any sort of scrutiny," he said. The decision could have far-reaching consequences for the council which has already put down more than 60 animals declared as dangerous dogs as yesterday's verdict opens the door for other dog owners to challenge the conclusion of animal control officers. The council's director of community services, Colette McCool, said it was too early to speculate on any move to tighten procedures. ... catch up! l am over the moon we have had 2 great wins this week. Peter won his court case against the RAPCA and his dogs have to be returned 6 beautiful pitty's with the rspca having to pay all court cost. pitgal

QUADRIPLEGIC Justin Taylor's best mate Fonzie sits on death row, his fate in the hands of a Gold Coast magistrate. Mr Taylor insists Fonzie is an american staffordshire terrier. The Gold Coast City Council, however, believes the animal is a banned pit bull-type breed. The dispute has set the stage for a test case of Queensland's recently introduced dangerous dog laws. Crippled in a surfing accident five years ago, Mr Taylor, 29, bought Fonzie to help cheer him up. ``He's my best mate -- my therapy dog -- and I couldn't bear to lose him,'' he said yesterday. But while Mr Taylor was in hospital having a bladder operation last month, Fonzie escaped from his parents' house and was impounded by the council. ``The next thing I knew, I received a destruction notice from the council,'' he said. ``They declared Fonzie dangerous on the basis of a 24-point checklist which many vets will tell you is seriously flawed. ``Many of the characteristics used to determine so-called dangerous dogs apply to all dogs, even chihuahuas. ``It's a farce. It's not as if Fonzie got out and attacked someone.'' Mr Taylor admits Fonzie was unregistered, but says that is the only crime. ``He's a gentle, people-friendly dog, and if I thought he posed the slightest danger I wouldn't have him.'' Fonzie will be impounded until Mr Taylor's appeal is heard in Southport Magistrate's Court in September. Gold Coast councillor Dawn Crichlow is lobbying the council to allow Fonzie to return home until then. ``I think it's cruel, really cruel,'' she said. ``Fonzie is Mr Taylor's companion, he needs that dog.'' Cr Crichlow also called for a review of the dangerous dog laws. ``This law is wrong and it's flawed,'' she said. ``The american staffordshire terrier is so close-looking to the pit bull. You have to have pedigree papers, otherwise council officers can determine on a points system that it is a pit bull.'' Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit researcher Richard Hockey agreed Queensland's breed-specific dangerous dog laws were flawed. ``There is no scientific basis for properly identifying breeds and the laws have had no impact on attack statistics,'' he said. Gold Coast vet Jamie Mulcahy said dog breed identification was extremely difficult without proper DNA profiling. Dr Mulcahy said dogs should be identified as dangerous "through their deeds and not their breeds". (there is a photo as well, Fonzie is clearly a cross breed of some sort). l will keep you up to date on this case, next month is the court case. Anyone that can do this to a human being with such a dibillitating illness just disgust me. pitgal :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Thankyou to everyone on the forum for your wonderful post on the loss of Brax, its been hard for my family but we are starting to get back into the norm of everyday life, the hardest thing is we are not allowed to own another pit bull on the Gold Coast, due to there disgusting laws. I wrote a poem about brax and l hope you will all read it, its the the story section, based on true facts, and families that were run out of this state because they owned a pit bull. Jeanne your a darling thankyou. Holz l am crying with you, l hope they are running a riot in heaven together. Brax l love you and miss you heaps, l will keep fighting BSL in your honour, once again thankyou everyone christina & family.

Holz l am so sorry for your loss, my heart goes out ot you. I feel your pain so much, as l have just lost my beautiful Pit bull Brax. I hope they are running amok together and watching over us. our angels in heaven. :angel:

[url]http://groups.msn.com/PitBullsandBreedSpecificLegislation/welcome1.msnw[/url] Brax was diagnosed with lympho sarcoma at the start of the year, 5 weeks into his treatment the vet rang and informed us he did not have lympho sarcoma, but was suffering from Histiocytic Sarcoma.This cancer attacks there spleen, lungs and bone marrow, joints ect. My son had made the his mind up and we all talk about the prognosis which was very grim, he decided to have Brax euthanased the Tuesday after easter so that we all could spend easter with him.Brax did not make it, on the 8th April at 6pm l took brax out to the toilet , he did the business walk inside and collapse in my daughter-inlaws arms, brax had passed away. Brax you gave us so much love, you enriched our lives, we will cherish you forever. Brax has been cremated and will come home to his family. Brax has been named dog of the week please check the link out, with my granddaughter Taykeeta.l wil post more pics soon. christina pitgal

My beautiful boy brax, has been diagnised with leukemia, found out this morning, starts chemo on Tuesday. pitgal

Hi guys just thought you would like to see the 22 point system on how these parasites identify the Pit bull, in Queensland. Nita Cunningham and the Premier Mr Beattie need to explain to all Queenslanders why a Champion Chihuahua Pat scored high in the substantially meets the discription of an American Pit bull. Here are the ratings , a study made by the EDBA of the Queensland 22 point system, to a chihuahua. Its 1 out of 3 so check this out. 1/ The dogs head is medium in length and brick shaped, out of 3 Pat Scored 1. 2/ Dogs head has a skull shape which is flat and at the ears with prominet cheeks. scored 2 out of 3 3/ Dogs muzzle is wide and deep, scored out of 3 a 2 4/ Dogs muzzle has well pronounced jaws, displaying strength.scored a 3 5/ Dogs upper teeth meet tightly over lower teeth. PAT scored 3 6/Dogs ears are set high on the head and free from wrinkles. scored out of 3 a 2. 7/dogs eyes are round. scored a 3 out of 3. 8/Dogs eyes are set apart , low down on the skull. scored out of 3 a 9/ Dogs nose has wide open nostrils. PAT scored a 3 out of 3. 10/ Dogs neck is muscular and slightly arched.scored 3 out of 3. 11/ Dog neck tapers from the shoulder to the head. 3 out of 3 12/ Dogs neck is free from looseness of skin. scored a 3 out of 3. 13/Dogs shoulders are strong and muscular with wide sloping shoulder blades. scored 3 out of 3. 14/Dogs back is short and strong. scored out of 3 a 1. 15/ Dogs back is slightly sloping from withers to rump. scored 3 out of 3. 16/Dogs back is slightly arched at the loins with loins slightly tucked. scored 3 out of three. 17/Dogs chest is deep, but not to broad , with wide sprung ribs.3 out of 3. 18/ Dog legs are medium to large , round bined and reasonably strong. scored out of 3 a 1. 19/ Dogs feet are medium size , 3 out of 3. 20/ Dogs thighs have well developed muscles out of 3 scored a 1. 21/ Dogs coat is short and stiff to touch.scored a 3 out of 3. 22/The dogs height is between 30cm and 70cm Pat quite obvisously failed as he is a chihuahua.scored a 1 Now how ridiculous , according to Animal Control Officers , Pat the Chihuahua meets the discription of a American Pit Bull Terrier Type. Since the minimum test results for a dog that bears no resembalance to a pit bull in any degree is 22, it is only necessary to score 23 and additional 23 points to qualify for the death sentence . If a Chihuahua scores 50 points which Pat has done, the minimum to qualify for the death sentence is 45. What chance does any innocent dog breed have ???? This is a flawed system , Mr Beattie should put all dogs over the coals and see what they rate, including his , how many dogs would meet this discription. pitgal. :evil:

[url]http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7046530%5E421,00.html[/url] okay guys here is the story, very sad indeed. this law has to be stopped, doesn;t matter what country it is l will keep fighting,

yes that is right,

VOTED

Sorry to confuse you, l am a counselor , and l decided to work on the mental health strategy of this bsl law. On the NZ Government site anyone could of sent a submission in about the bsl.I sent about 4 in and to my surprise they have accepted them. l am a counselor and have worked in mental health and l just put some stories across about the mental effect it is having on families and children. They are willing to listen, which is great, its a shame we are still working on Queensland. We had a tragic incident last weekend, a young man took his life and that of a police officer.Murder Suicide. This young man was a loner and very depressed, and a addict. The council seized his pit bull and he walked around for 3 days telling everyone they took my dog,in the end this has triggered this young man to retaliate and the outcome was very sad. In theory l blame the government , this young man should of being regulated by mental health , and the government for introducing this disgusting law, just because of breed.What ever happened to Duty of Care

I contacted the NZ Government , regarding the emotional, and psychological effects its having on families in Queensland and world wide. And the fact that many families and there children are now on anti-depressants due to the trauma the Government has placed on them, because of the breed of dog they own. This is their reply. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ENVIRONMENT SELECT COMMITTEE PARLIAMENT HOUSE WELLINGTON. LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW REFORM BILL NO.[2] Dear pitgal, Thank you for your submission an the above item of business. A copy will be distributed to members of the above committee, which is considering the item. Should the committee decide to hear the submission , you will be notified as soon as possible of the date and time at which you are to appear before the committee. For your information , select committees normally meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays mornings and you may be asked to attend at short notice. Your submissions will be publicly released at the time you appear before the committee , or the committee may decide to release it earlier. If it has not been released when the committee reports to the house it becomes publicly available at that time. You may apply for any or all your evidence to be heard in private or secret .Committees normally require reasons before agreeing to such requests, please contact me if you wish to make an application. yours sincerely Marie Alexander Local Government Wellington.NZ. Conformation on the 27th august, from NZ they have accepted my submissions and it will appear before Parliament in Wellington today. keep your fingers crossed.SAVE THE PITTYS

[url]http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75886[/url] [quote] all you pit bull lovers, and dog lovers please check out this disgusting football site, its is suppose to be about footy, but it is a pack of fairies bashing the pit bull.