Kidsafe Backs Vic Government on Dangerous Dog Legislation

30^th August 2011

The peak body on child accident prevention, Kidsafe Victoria, today backed the Victorian Government’s legislation on the registration or possible removal of dangerous dogs.

Kidsafe said that the tragedy involving a fatal dog attack on a four year old child was a major wake up call about the potential dangers of dogs and young children.

Melanie Water, State Manager of Kidsafe Victoria welcomed the State Government’s move to legislate quickly, to give councils greater powers and resources to destroy unregistered dangerous dogs. 

Ms Water said, “This places the onus back on owners to ensure their dogs are appropriately registered and provides councils with the power to follow up with those who don’t comply.”

Research from the Monash University Accident Research Centre shows that in Victoria on average, one child a day is taken to hospital as a result of an injury from a dog attack.

Ms Water said “Kidsafe is also supportive of tougher penalties for owners who don’t register correct breeds by the cut off date or keep their dogs fenced as per the law.

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