Right: One of the difficulties faced by those who wish to ban pit bulls is that cross-breeds, such as this pit bull-labrador cross, cannot easily be legally identified as inherantly vicious..
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Further implications
There have been calls for uniform national dangerous dog laws similar to those being put in place in Victoria. This seems unlikely to happen. Queensland has already indicated that it will not be bringing its laws into line with Victoria's, though it has been reported that New South Wales and South Australia may be about to review their legislation in the light of the recent fatal Victorian dog attack.
States and territories are responsible for their own dog laws, but the Federal Government has indicated it is prepared to step in and lead a national overhaul.
The federal Attorney-General, Mr Rob McClelland has indicated his belief that there needs to be national consistency on registration, penalties and management of dangerous dogs
Mr McClelland stated, 'Clearly, we should be doing everything we can to avoid these kinds of horrific attacks. Unfortunately, they occur far too frequently. One attack on a child is one too many.' Mr McClelland said discussion would also look at which laws were most effective and how best to enforce them.
Only five of the eight Australian jurisdictions automatically restrict dangerous breeds, while some jurisdictions still allow these breeds to be sold or given away. The Northern Territory has no laws regarding dangerous animals and relies entirely on local council by-laws.
However, doubt has been raised as to the probable effectiveness of the Victorian legislation.
Monash University statistician, Linda Watson, who is also president of the Endangered Dog Breeds Association of Australia has stated, ' There is no research yet published showing that breed-specific laws have worked.
Particularly for ordinary crossbred domestic pets, the task of breed identification to any level of certainty or reliability by a dog's physical characteristics is simply and absolutely impossible from any scientific, technical or professional perspective.'
Ms Watson has claimed that similar legislative moves in Britain and across Europe in the early 1990s have since been scaled back because of problems with implementation.
Ms Watson stated, 'The laws cannot work if you cannot enforce them.'
A number of Councils have already indicated that their increased responsibilities in terms of implementing these new laws would mean they will need State government assistance.