New Zealand should remove the American Pit Bull Terrier from
dog control legislation after the Netherlands ended a ban on
the breed because it did not work, dog breeders say.
A parliamentary select committee has been hearing submissions
on the Dog Control Amendment Bill (No 2) which makes it
mandatory for dogs classified as menacing, because they are
of a certain breed or type, to be neutered.
The bill also simplifies the process for adding breeds or
types to dog control legislation.
A schedule to the legislation lists breeds or types of dogs
that may not be imported into New Zealand, and if already
here are subject to muzzling when at large.
Last week the committee heard from several submitters who
spoke against breed-specific legislation. Their arguments
included that the main reason for aggression in dogs was the
environment they were in, saying even a labrador in the wrong
hands could bite.
They also argued the legislation would ban specific breeds
without the research to back up whether the ban was
justified.
Karen Batchelor, from the American Pit Bull Terrier
Association, today wrote to Parliament's local government and
environment select committee asking it to take into account
what had happened in the Netherlands.
She wanted the committee to justify plans to list the
American Pit Bull Terrier in the legislation, arguing the
breed should be removed from the bill because of the failed
experiment in the Netherlands.
The Dutch government said this week it would lift its
long-standing ban on pitbulls because it did not lead to any
decrease in bite incidents.
Agriculture Minister Gerda Verburg informed its parliament of
the decision, which followed the advice of a commission of
experts appointed to review the policy.
Instead, the country will focus on enforcing local leashing
laws and owner education programmes.
Dogs that displayed aggression would be tested by an expert,
it has been reported.
The country banned the breeding and possession of pitbulls in
1993, after three children were killed by the dogs.
New Zealand's legislation followed a spate of dog attacks.
Ms Batchelor said that in light of the Dutch decision, the
select committee should remove the American Pit Bull Terrier
from New Zealand's legislation.
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