Members are reminded that they are not required to microchip puppies under 12 weeks of age unless they operate a Domestic Animal Business. Under Section 12A of the Domestic Animals Act:
if you operate a Domestic Animal Business you are required to microchip puppies before they leave the premises.
if you do NOT operate a Domestic Animal Business (ie, have less than 10 fertile bitches) you must register all puppies with the Council and microchip them if they are 12 weeks of age or older, but if they are less than 12 weeks of age this becomes the responsibility of the purchaser.
DEVELOPING CLUB BREEDING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
In 2009 all clubs were requested to send to the Office an outline of their Club Breeding Program or Guidelines, and to indicate current club policy for testing for any heritable diseases in that breed.
For those clubs still finalizing their programs or guidelines, the attached documents may assist.
Members are reminded that they should carry all necessary documentation with them relating to legally de-barked dogs to answer any queries from authorised persons.
For more information please read Prohibited procedures for dogs (.pdf) - published by the Department of Primary Industries January 2010.
PROPOSED CHANGE TO DANGEROUS DOG LEGISLATION
DOGS Victoria has been in contact with the Office of the Minister for Agriculture (the Honourable Joe Helper) to get details of recent media announcements of new legislation to better control dangerous dogs and prevent dog attacks.
The Minister’s office has confirmed that:
The proposed legislation will strengthen the powers of local Councils to deal with dogs involved in aggressive attacks on other dogs and people
The proposed legislation provides that dogs involved in aggressive dog attacks that are not registered with a Council may be contained or euthanized at the discretion of the Council
Owners of such dogs who fail to register their dogs will have no right of appeal against any Council decision of the dog.
The Minister’s office believes that this legislation, which is still to go to Parliament for approval, will better police the activities of “underground” breeding activities, and owners who fail to register their dogs.
The message is clear:
If you register your dogs with your local Council, you have nothing to fear from the new legislation, which aims to promote Responsible Dog Ownership in this way.
DOGS Victoria will continue to promote on the radio and in newspapers the importance for new purchasers to ensure that they receive ANKC registration papers from an affiliated DOGS Victoria breeder to ensure that they are not being sold crossbreeds by unscrupulous breeders.
Seminars for breeders were held in November 2009 to provide members with more information on the new Code of Practice for the Responsible Breeding of Animals with Heritable defects. The speakers were Dr. Steven Tate, Director of the Bureau of Animal Welfare, and Sylvia Power, Chair of the DOGS Victoria Canine Health Committee.
It should be noted that VCA regulations prohibit the cropping of ears
Dogs with Natural Bob Tails
Dogs with natural bob tails do not fall under the provisions of Clause 82 of the new Act.
Members of breeds in which natural bob tails occur are understandably anxious that they may be the subject of an RSPCA query about their dog.
The management committee has approved that the office will develop a small card that will state that the dog is registered with DOGS Victoria and meets all the requirements of Victorian State Government Legislation, or similar.
This card will also be available to members with dogs whose tails were shortened before the legislation was enacted.
As soon as this card is available, members will be notified and invited to apply for one.
Elizabeth White
Chief Executive
Clause 82 – Your Questions Answered
Dogs Victoria has obtained a clarification from the Bureau of Animal Welfare of the impact of the new Clause 82 of the Animals Legislation Amendment (Animal Care) Bill 2007 which makes it an offence to exhibit a dog with a docked tail, which is regarded as a prohibited procedure under the legislation.
The Tail docking of dogs FAQs (.pdf) provided by the BAW offers answers to the most common questions. Please continue to call the office for any further clarification that you require. For your information, at the November meeting Management Committee approved the following recommendation:
“That as from the enactment of the Animals Legislation Amendment (Animal Care) Bill 2007, DOGS Victoria will not accept the registration of any dog with a shortened tail without full documentation validating that such shortening is in compliance with Clause 82 C and D of the Act.”
In 2008 members of dogs with shortened tails or natural bob tails will be offered small ID cards to provide evidence that the dog complies with the legislation (see above information from Elizabeth White).
The Domestic Animal Act and other legislative issues addressed above apply to the entire state of Victoria. For local laws and ordinances in your council, please see Council Animal Management Plans.
