comment, opinion,

Owning a pet is one of life’s great joys but that joy also comes with great responsibility. Just as cat owners are asked to take steps to ensure their pets cause minimal harm in the community, dog owners are expected to do the same. The bottom line is that a dog’s behaviour is the responsibility of its owner. Dogs that are allowed to roam are a danger to themselves, other animals and to people. The dangers of an aggressive dog should not need to be spelled out, yet there are some dog owners who are either oblivious, or uncaring, about the danger posed by such a dog. Likewise, it is foolish to assume that any dog, no matter how placid, is not capable of becoming aggressive in a situation which leaves the animal feeling threatened. Dog attacks in Albury increased last year with 39 reported to the office of local government, compared to 33 in 2016. In response, Albury Council is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the responsibilities of dog ownership. It is a campaign that could be adopted by every council around Australia, but how successful it will be depends on how willing dog owners are to hear the message. Such a campaign will remind responsible owners of what they need to do, and perhaps prod a few who have overlooked their responsibilities into action. But the people who need the message the most are those likely to ignore it. Those people who flout the rules are not going to take any notice of a campaign urging them to do the right thing. People who mistreat their animals, let them roam and encourage them to be aggressive are going to keep doing it until they are forced to change their behaviour. RELATED: The last time the Companion Animals Act was beefed up, amendments were added to it to require owners to deal with dogs that are considered “menacing”. Dog owners must have these dogs desexed and have them muzzled, on a leash and under the control of an adult every time they are out in public. Owners will then be required to desex them and keep them muzzled, leashed and in the control of someone over 18 every time they are out in public. Not complying carries penalties of up to seven years' jail and a $77,000 fine if the dog attacks someone. Perhaps that is exactly what some owners need to make them do the right thing.

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