| 7.1 |
RSPCA Australia believes that dogs play an important role in the Australian family and community as companions and close working partners of humans. |
| 7.2 |
RSPCA Australia recognises that responsible dog ownership means owners accepting full responsibility for dogs in terms of their welfare, as well as meeting the standards for dog management that are expected by the community. |
| 7.3 |
Government policy on the management of dogs in the community must maintain a balance between the need to protect the health and safety of humans and other animals and the need to ensure the welfare of dogs. |
| 7.4 |
Education plays a key role in the effective management of dogs in the community. This includes both the education of dog owners on the importance of responsible pet ownership and appropriate socialisation and training of dogs, and the education of the general public and particularly children on understanding dog behaviour and human-animal interactions. |
| 7.5 |
Training |
| 7.5.1 |
RSPCA Australia recognises that the behaviour of a dog is determined by a combination of genetics (inheritance), life experiences (including training and socialisation with other dogs and humans) and their environment. |
| 7.5.2 |
A lack of adequate, timely and appropriate training and socialisation frequently leads to the emergence of behaviour-related problems. These are a major reason for the surrendering of dogs to shelters. |
| 7.5.3 |
RSPCA Australia supports the training of dogs as a means of improving dog behaviour and maintaining good relationships between dogs, their owners and the community. Training programs should be designed to facilitate the development and maintenance of acceptable behaviours using natural instincts and positive reinforcement. |
| 7.5.4 |
Aversion therapy and physical punishment procedures must not be used in training programs because of the potential for cruelty. |
| 7.6 |
Exercise and control |
| 7.6.1 |
All dogs must have the opportunity for regular, appropriate exercise to promote good health, provide contact with humans and allow socialisation with other dogs. |
| 7.6.2 |
RSPCA Australia recognises that, for the safety of animals and humans, dogs should be under effective control when in public places. Keeping a dog on a leash is recognised as the most effective form of control during exercise. |
| 7.6.3 |
All municipalities must provide sufficient safe public open spaces, such as parks, beaches or walking tracks, where dogs are permitted to be exercised off-leash. Such areas should be adequately signposted to advise people entering them that they may encounter unleashed dogs. |
| 7.7 |
Devices used to control dogs |
| 7.7.1 |
A properly fitted collar or harness used with a leash is an effective form of control and training aid for dogs. Collars and harnesses must be of an appropriate size, strength, material and design for the individual dog to provide effective control, but must not cause injury, pain or distress or restrict the dog’s normal activities (ie panting and drinking). |
| 7.7.2 |
Electronic devices |
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RSPCA Australia is opposed to the use of any electronically activated or other devices which deliver electric shocks, high pitched sounds, or any other painful stimulus. Such devices can be used to abuse the animals, involve inflicting pain and are considered inappropriate for dog training or control. |
| 7.7.3 |
Muzzles |
| 7.7.3.1 |
RSPCA Australia only accepts the use of muzzles under the following specific circumstances:
- for aggressive or declared dangerous dogs while in public places
- for dogs when working with livestock
- for examination and safe handling of aggressive dogs.
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| 7.7.3.2 |
Muzzling devices must be properly fitted and used only under constant supervision for short periods of time. Muzzles used for exercise or work purposes must allow the dog to pant and drink but not bite. |
| 7.7.3.3 |
Muzzles should not be used as a routine management procedure as they restrict dogs’ natural behaviour and serve no practical purpose for the majority of dogs. |
| 7.8 |
Dangerous dogs |
| 7.8.1 |
RSPCA Australia defines a dangerous dog as any dog which aggressively attacks a person or other animal causing physical injury or death, or behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses an unjustified imminent threat of physical injury or death. |
| 7.8.2 |
Exceptions to this definition should be considered where a dog has been clearly provoked into attacking a human or other animal in self-defence, defence of a human or their property, or where a dog kept as a companion animal instinctively attacks an animal normally considered as prey. |
| 7.8.3 |
RSPCA Australia considers that any dog of any size, breed or mixture of breeds may be dangerous and thus dogs should not be declared dangerous on the basis of breed. |
| 7.8.4 |
However, it is recognised that there is a strong genetic component in a dog’s propensity for aggressive behaviour, their trigger point for aggression and their capacity to inflict serious injury. These factors should be taken into consideration when choosing a suitable dog and in their subsequent socialisation and training. |
| 7.8.5 |
RSPCA Australia supports the use in legislation of the category of ‘menacing dog’ to apply to dogs that have repeatedly exhibited threatening behaviour (such as rushing at or chasing a person without provocation), but do not meet the definition of a dangerous dog. |
| 7.8.6 |
Reducing the incidence of dog attacks requires the following actions:
- education of dog owners on the importance of responsible pet ownership and appropriate socialisation and training of dogs
- education of the public on understanding dog behaviour and the risks of dog bites
- early identification and appropriate management of problem behaviours
- selection of dogs on the basis of appropriate behavioural characteristics
- the implementation of appropriate control and management programs for those dogs that are declared to be menacing or dangerous.
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See also: Position paper A1 Control of dangerous dogs |
