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The government says legislation it introduced after the 2017 death of a Canberra woman killed by her own dog has given it more powers to euthanise dogs. Data released on Tuesday has shown an almost tenfold increase from 2017 to 2018 in the number of dogs euthanised after an attack. A coroner's report last year found Canberra woman Tania Louise Klemke died after her own dog Simba turned on her while she was trying to protect a friend. Animal services records show Simba had come to their attention on multiple occasions for roaming the streets, following neighbours and barking at small children, but there was a lack of follow up action. The government released its response to the coroner's report on Tuesday, noting the legislation introduced shortly after Ms Klemke's death had given the government greater powers to ensure dogs posing a serious risk were not released back into the community. The response said the new system of managing dog attacks had resulted in 68 control orders being issued to dogs that displayed high-risk behaviour. "This measure allows for owners of high-risk dogs to be regulated under strict conditions to prevent any potential attacks from occurring," the response said. The response said there had been an overall increase in reports of dog attacks and harassment between 2017 and 2018, from 539 to 795 reports. But during that same time, the number of confirmed dog attacks did not rise proportionately to the number of overall reports. The data showed that in 2017, 67 per cent of reports involved a confirmed serious attack whereas in 2018 49 per cent of reports involved a confirmed serious attack. In 2017 just three dogs were euthanised under the direction of Domestic Animal Services after an attack, but in 2018 that number jumped to 29. "These results demonstrate that a greater number of dangerous dogs are being euthanised as a direct result of the strict new laws, and potentially dangerous dogs are being subjected to control orders," the response said. The government said in early 2019 a new organisational structure for Domestic Animal Services was implemented to allow for greater compliance and a more strategic approach to reducing dog attacks. "As part of the structural changes, rangers will be able to place a greater focus on compliance through enforcing existing laws and promoting education and awareness on responsible dog ownership in the community, particularly in off-leash areas and during day-to-day encounters with dog owners," the response read. "The ACT Government takes the matter of public safety identified by Coroner Fryar very seriously and is committed to improving dog management in the ACT in a meaningful and long-lasting way so that all Canberrans can feel confident that they, their family, friends and pets are safe from dog attacks. "Since the death of Tania Louise Klemke in 2017 significant progress has been made in relation to dangerous dog legislation, procedures, processes, compliance, promoting responsible dog ownership and education and awareness activities. "This work will continue into 2019 as the ACT Government moves further towards a best-practice, evidence-based model for dog management that reduces dog attacks and empowers Canberrans."

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