UAM statement on dangerous dogs 2002
Summary
This statement was developed by attendees at the National Urban Animal Management Conferences in 2000, 2001 and 2002, with the final wording agreed at the 2002 conference.This paper represents scientifically justifiable opinion and best practice as determined by attendees including animal management officers, local and state government managers, policy makers and legislators, veterinarians and others with interest and expertise in the field.
This is a set of currently achievable objectives that will be reviewed and amended from time to time. The majority of dog related injuries are bites that occur to children in the home and are preventable. Owners and authorities have a duty of care that extends both sides of the owner's gate. The only way to eliminate the risk is to ban all dogs and the social and economic cost of that is neither acceptable nor feasible. That doesn't mean that the risks can't be addressed but the aim must be to reduce them as far as possible. Ideally there should be a nationally consistent approach. With the exception of any legislated restricted breed, the targeting of a specific breed is not appropriate. The main problems concerning dangerous dogs (DD) relate to lack of information, education and inappropriate regulation. It is both for community concern and community benefit that this issue is being addressed.