Watch out for the dog crackdown

JessP said :

Lets get to the real issue here – There ought to be LARGE fines for people who dress their dogs in outside as ridiculous as the ones in the photo above.

+1 Canine fashion definitely needs to be addressed. And we also have to consider bad-taste grooming, too. I saw one with random fluffy bits and the rest was shaved to the skin. *shudder*

luv_this_city said :

As a cyclist who has had many, many near misses and several collisions due to off-leash dogs running/wandering into my path, some/any enforcement is welcome and overdue.

As a dog owner who has had many, many near misses and due to cycle-nazis speeding along paths dedicated for pedestrians and others, as if they own the bloody path, and their shaved legs and lycra give them a god given right to precedence, nay a clear road, to knock 0.7 seconds off their best time into work. Seeing more of them go arse over tit is most welcome and overdue.

luv_this_city said :

BTW. Can a dog owner tell me what benefit a dog gets by walking off leash along a path next to it’s owner versus being on a leash, in the exact same place as is the law ?

The dog gets to sniff explore and pee when it wishes without interfering with the owners walk.

“– Not carrying equipment for removal of dog faeces $50”

hmmm i wonder if you could claim your hands (or your own shirt) for that one.

I’ve seen (in nsw) people handing out free plastic bag holsters to attach to your dogs lead. Perhaps they should offer the service here? (assuming they dont already).

Also, the registration tag seems a little OTT. imo it should be microchipped OR rego-tag.

I have my little poodle on a leash when out in public, many a time I’ve had big dogs come up to us who are not on a leash, I have to pull my little dog up out of reach, one bite and she’s gone, she is so friendly, I have never known poodles to bite anyone, my last poodle was 14 years old when she passed away, and not once bit anyone.
My current poodle looks like the little one in the picture.

Sheridan said :

screw the fines, let’s skip straight to capital punishment for people who don’t pick up their dog’s turds.

Harsh…but fair

As a cyclist who has had many, many near misses and several collisions due to off-leash dogs running/wandering into my path, some/any enforcement is welcome and overdue.

BTW. Can a dog owner tell me what benefit a dog gets by walking off leash along a path next to it’s owner versus being on a leash, in the exact same place as is the law ?

DeadlySchnauzer said :

Its about time. I am sick to death of being approached by dogs off leashes in public places. With a young child it’s especially nerve racking, regardless of how cute the owners think it is when their little pooky runs up to kiss the baby.

For all I know your dog is a disease ridden, flea infested, infection carrying psychopath, likely to fly off the handle at any moment and attack everyone around it. I would prefer if it was on a leash and didn’t come anywhere near me.

My daughter was walking her dogs on a leash when three unrestrained children approached her dogs. For all she knew the children were disease ridden, hair lice infested, sociopaths. They insisted on approaching the dogs despite her telling the child owner to restrain her kids.
The dogs are receiving counselling.

Loved comment #26!
My dog is in constant training and always under control.
I don’t bring poop bags with me on walks as she’s never done poos on walks. If I go any where else I bring them. On our walks I’m constantly looking to avoid the dog poo on the path. That and broken glass. I guess some dogs just can’t help themselves, and the owners just don’t care…

And yes, I see the occasional human being taken for a walk. Spend the time and the money and take your dog to lessons!

I noticed theres only a fine for “Not carrying equipment for removal of dog faeces”.
Does this mean there is no actual fine for not removing the offending droppings themselves?

PoodleAntics said :

johnboy said :

PoodleAntics said :

@johnboy, may I ask where you obtained the photo from?

Million paws walk.

Awesome, can I get a full copy of this as these are my dogs and the 2 big ones won 1st place in the Fashion Parade and I never had time to get a nice copy of them.

Thanks…

On its way

Genie said :

Lefty said :

My son was on a swing in a public park near our house a few years ago. An irresponsible owner was walking home with her large dog off its lead – through the park – when the dog ran up to my son, who was still on the swing and bit his back, ripping a piece of his tshirt off. My son stopped swinging and confronted the owner. Get this……..she offered $10 to replace his tshirt – not even asking if he was ok. She then walked home and he watched where she went.

I reported her actions to Dog Control, who came out and sorted her and her dog out.

This is why dogs should be on leads. Yes, I know not all dogs would do that – but at least we don’t have to worry if one will attack a small child.

While I’m sorry that your son was attacked.. Most park areas are actually designated as “off-leash” areas.

http://www.gim.act.gov.au/website/gimmapviewer/viewer.htm?SERVICE=dog&QUERYDOG=yes&TITLE=Dog%20Exercise%20Areas&LOGO=Tams_Colour_logo2.gif

I wasn’t clear – my apologies. He was swinging on a swing in a park (public playground).

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/play/pcl/get_out_there/where_to_go/wherecanitakemydog
Dog Prohibited Areas
Dogs Prohibited Areas are identified by signage and dogs are not permitted in these areas except for Assistance Dogs with permits. In public places a dog must not be taken within 10 meters of a designated playspace (if children are playing on it) or a fireplace (or heating appliance) designated for cooking.

johnboy said :

PoodleAntics said :

@johnboy, may I ask where you obtained the photo from?

Million paws walk.

Awesome, can I get a full copy of this as these are my dogs and the 2 big ones won 1st place in the Fashion Parade and I never had time to get a nice copy of them.

Thanks…

PoodleAntics said :

@johnboy, may I ask where you obtained the photo from?

Million paws walk.

@johnboy, may I ask where you obtained the photo from?

Lin said :

Dog owners should be forced to properly train their dogs instead of sentencing the dogs to a life of being tied up.

I fully agree, however it is far easier for the nanny state to tell if a dog is off the lead than it is if a dog is under control, hence easier to raise revenue.

Here’s a conversation I have far too often;

In see I am being approached by a short, dumpy, middle age, woman with a overly excited fat Labrador on a lead. My heart sinks when I see she is wearing colorful clothes and a floppy hart.

What I always do in this case, is call my dogs to heel, move 15 -20 foot off the path, and await her passing. This takes a hell of a long time, as she’s inevitabley being pulled in all directions by her dog.

She approaches and stops, and says something. I tell my dogs to stay, and move closer to her. Her dog explodes into barking at me.

The conversation runs thus:

HER : “You should have your dogs on a lead!”

Me: “Why?”

HER; “They aren’t under control!”

Me; “My dogs aren’t under control?”

HER; “They aren’t on a lead.”

Me; “Yes.”

HER; “So they aren’t under control.”

Me; “I see, my dogs, sitting quietly under that tree where I told them to sit are “not under control”, whereas your dog who has just nearly pulled you off your feet, and is barking enough to wake the dead, is. Have I got that right?”

HER; “One of your dogs has got up.”

Me; (Clears throat loudly enough for dogs to hear; ) “It’s sat down again now hasn’t it?”

HER ; “Yes. But that’s not the point, they aren’t on leads they could chase kangaroos.”

Me; “Can you see down the path where I have just come from? Do you see that mob of a hundred or so roos who are grazing just off it? I just walked past them with my dogs at heel. If my dogs were chasers, the dogs and the roos would be in NSW by now.”

HER; “Well you might startle them.”

Me; “Yes.”

HER; “So you should have your dogs on a lead so you are in control of them.”

Me; “I am in control of them. The fact that you have little or no control over your dog does not mean that mine are not under control.”

(At this point she has been dragged to within a few feet of my dogs, my Shitzu has a habit of trying to kill Labradors, so I tell the two of them to “go ahead”. They walk off up the path.)

Me: ”That’s what’s known as “having a dog under control” in the real world.”

HER: “Well I can’t have my dog off the lead!”

Me: “And that is my problem, how exactly?”

HER: “You probably used cruelty to train your dogs!”

Me: “Oh yes, heaps of it. They soon learn though. Unfortunately.”

HER: “Well there you go, ha!”

Me: “So my dogs got a brief period of physical chastisement, hence they learned how to behave, and are now good well controlled dogs. Whereas your dog has a life of misery always being on a lead, and walking only as far as it can tow your fat @rse, and is a complete pain in to all and sundry. I bet all your neighbours complain about it, don’t they?”

HER: “I don’t like your attitude.”

Me: “I don’t like your hat.”

HER: “I’m not standing here to listen to this.”

Me: “You started it.”

And so she storms off down the path. As she approaches the roos, her dog goes ballistic barking like a banshee and pulling her all over the park. The roos scatter, several of them heading towards the main road.

Lefty said :

My son was on a swing in a public park near our house a few years ago. An irresponsible owner was walking home with her large dog off its lead – through the park – when the dog ran up to my son, who was still on the swing and bit his back, ripping a piece of his tshirt off. My son stopped swinging and confronted the owner. Get this……..she offered $10 to replace his tshirt – not even asking if he was ok. She then walked home and he watched where she went.

I reported her actions to Dog Control, who came out and sorted her and her dog out.

This is why dogs should be on leads. Yes, I know not all dogs would do that – but at least we don’t have to worry if one will attack a small child.

While I’m sorry that your son was attacked.. Most park areas are actually designated as “off-leash” areas.

http://www.gim.act.gov.au/website/gimmapviewer/viewer.htm?SERVICE=dog&QUERYDOG=yes&TITLE=Dog%20Exercise%20Areas&LOGO=Tams_Colour_logo2.gif

BallOfMonkey said :

DeadlySchnauzer said :

Its about time. I am sick to death of being approached by dogs off leashes in public places.

Can I recommend a large order of bubble-wrap so that you can construct an environment-proof suit?

Umm I think people have the right to feel safe, they go to an area where they think dogs are supposed to be on leashes. Some people are scared of dogs, I own a dog and walk him on a leash, he is also de-sexed and registered.

I think everyone should be able to feel safe out and about. I love dogs, I don’t mind people, but if I’m walking my dog and I get too close to someone who doesn’t like dogs I move away, not really a big deal…

Skidbladnir said :

BenMac said :

What powers do TAMS officials have if no police are with them.

ACT Domestic Animals Act 2000. You’re interested in Part 9 – Administration.

So, if a TAMS official is an “authorised person” they can request name and address, only after showing you their id.

But they wouldn’t have powers to detain if you refused.

BenMac said :

What powers do TAMS officials have if no police are with them.

ACT Domestic Animals Act 2000. You’re interested in Part 9 – Administration.

DeadlySchnauzer said :

Its about time. I am sick to death of being approached by dogs off leashes in public places.

Can I recommend a large order of bubble-wrap so that you can construct an environment-proof suit?

My son was on a swing in a public park near our house a few years ago. An irresponsible owner was walking home with her large dog off its lead – through the park – when the dog ran up to my son, who was still on the swing and bit his back, ripping a piece of his tshirt off. My son stopped swinging and confronted the owner. Get this……..she offered $10 to replace his tshirt – not even asking if he was ok. She then walked home and he watched where she went.

I reported her actions to Dog Control, who came out and sorted her and her dog out.

This is why dogs should be on leads. Yes, I know not all dogs would do that – but at least we don’t have to worry if one will attack a small child.

BenMac said :

jake555 said :

BenMac said :

Do they have the power to ask for id to see who you are? Can you be fined when your dog has no id and you don’t produce any. Just walk away, they can’t clamp your dog to the ground until you comply.

Ummm…..last time I checked, “just walking away” from the cops when they ask for id in relation to an offence – gets you arrested….the actual article states ACT police are also in on it.

You should read all the comments where I later corrected myself after reading the article. But my original questions still stands. What powers do TAMS officials have if no police are with them.

Your second post didn’t really make sense and made no mention of police, but anyway, in answer to your question, the relevant act is here: http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2000-86/current/pdf/2000-86.pdf (see Section 134)

There is a penalty for not providing a name and address to police or an “authorised person” – how you enforce that if they don’t provide name/address – I have no idea…….

But nothing to worry about if you have a de-sexed, registered dog on a leash with a rego tag and carry poo bags.

Lets get to the real issue here – There ought to be LARGE fines for people who dress their dogs in outside as ridiculous as the ones in the photo above.

jake555 said :

BenMac said :

Do they have the power to ask for id to see who you are? Can you be fined when your dog has no id and you don’t produce any. Just walk away, they can’t clamp your dog to the ground until you comply.

Ummm…..last time I checked, “just walking away” from the cops when they ask for id in relation to an offence – gets you arrested….the actual article states ACT police are also in on it.

You should read all the comments where I later corrected myself after reading the article. But my original questions still stands. What powers do TAMS officials have if no police are with them.

How do the police know if a female dog is de-sexed?

Officer: Is your dog de-sexed?
Shazza: Err, yeah.
Officer: Carry on.

I like these laws though. I saw three dogs all by themselves pooing away happily all over the footpath on the weekend. I wish the owners instead of being fined $50 had to pick up 50 dog poos.

screw the fines, let’s skip straight to capital punishment for people who don’t pick up their dog’s turds.

BenMac said :

Do they have the power to ask for id to see who you are? Can you be fined when your dog has no id and you don’t produce any. Just walk away, they can’t clamp your dog to the ground until you comply.

Ummm…..last time I checked, “just walking away” from the cops when they ask for id in relation to an offence – gets you arrested….the actual article states ACT police are also in on it.

johnboy – in the OP you missed a zero on the last offence which is $50 according to the article. I might define my bare hands as “equipment” for the removal of dog faeces to save a Pineapple – but to save a Stewey Diver, not sure…..

“anyway, i’m not a fan of stepping dog sh!t while out and about”

Do you realise that it’s usually the dogs on lead who poo right on the path?

I don’t agree that responsible dog ownership means keeping your dog on the lead everywhere. Responsible dog ownership means you have control over your dog whether it’s on or off the lead. Why would my dog be punished because some idiot thinks it’s ok to let their dog harass other people/kids/dogs? I walk my dog off the lead and she does NOT run across roads, she does NOT run up to children, she stays when I tell her to, comes when I call her and crosses the road only when given permission.

Dog owners should be forced to properly train their dogs instead of sentencing the dogs to a life of being tied up.

I was told a while back that it is illegal in the ACT to tie your dog up eg. at the shops. That makes me so angry. It’s usually the people who make the effort to take their dog with when they go to the local shops that are the responsible dog owners. I walk my dog twice a day religiously and I need to combine it with shopping and school drop-offs/pick-ups because there’s just not enough hours in a day. Those that leave their dogs at home when they walk to the shops probably have dogs that are really little less than garden sculptures, only noisier.

But Domestic Animals Service does not care one iota about the welfare of pets. They would prefer if you would never, ever take your dog outside of the backyard. There is no recognition that those who train and walk their dogs give their dogs a better quality of life.

Grrr.

Mess said :

I’m guessing DeadlySchnauzer is more of a cat person then?

eugh can’t stand cats 🙂 Anyways I am a dog person and owner… just a responsible one who keeps my dogs on a leash in public.

I’m guessing DeadlySchnauzer is more of a cat person then?

Its about time. I am sick to death of being approached by dogs off leashes in public places. With a young child it’s especially nerve racking, regardless of how cute the owners think it is when their little pooky runs up to kiss the baby.

For all I know your dog is a disease ridden, flea infested, infection carrying psychopath, likely to fly off the handle at any moment and attack everyone around it. I would prefer if it was on a leash and didn’t come anywhere near me.

I have no problem with measures to address dog poo in public places! Very obnoxious.

I just the media release. It’s a joint operation, so ACT members might be incompany with TAMS/Rangers.

I dunno, I think the lead fine is fair enough. I think I nearly hit 3 unrestrained dogs this morning on the way to work on my pushy.

Well, I for one welcome our new feline overlords.

Do they have the power to ask for id to see who you are? Can you be fined when your dog has no id and you don’t produce any. Just walk away, they can’t clamp your dog to the ground until you comply.

People also need to be more responsible at Dog parks. We have had several incidents where our dog has escaped, or nearly escaped due to careless people leaving the gates wide open as they leave. It’s supposed to be a secure place where you can let your dog run around and socialise with other dogs, instead every time we are there we have to stick to our dog like glue and make sure he goes nowhere near the gates.

police state? lets just calm down shall we.

i remember reading not so long ago that the ACT has the most lenient courts in the country.

anyway, i’m not a fan of stepping dog sh!t while out and about

the police state is starting to get out of control