Some governments, such as in Australia, have forbidden the import of specific breeds and are requiring the spay/neuter of all existing dogs of these breeds in an attempt to slowly eliminate the population through natural attrition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breed-specific_legislation#Australia
Australia
The importation of the
Dogo Argentino,
Fila Brasileiro,
Japanese tosa,
American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, and
Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario into Australia is absolutely prohibited.
[12]
StateDateTypeDetails
New South Wales January 13, 2006 Restriction The following dogs are restricted dogs...:
(a) American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier,
(b) Japanese tosa,
(c) dogo Argentino,
(d) fila Brasileiro,
(d1) any other dog of a breed, kind or description whose importation into Australia is prohibited by or under the Customs Act 1901 of the Commonwealth,
(e) any dog declared by an authorised officer of a council...to be a restricted dog,
(f) any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.
[13]
Restricted dogs may not be sold, given away, or acquired, and must be spay/neutered. They must be muzzled when in public, wear a special red-and-yellow collar, and may only be handled by a competent adult over the age of 18. The dog must live a secure enclosure when at home, and the owner must post "Warning: Dangerous Dog" signs on their property. The owner must also register the dog with the local government and notify the government if the dog attacks a person or animal, cannot be found, dies, has moved out of the area, or is now living at a different location within the local government's jurisdiction.
[14]
Queensland July 1, 2009 Restriction A dog of a breed prohibited from importation into Australia under the Australian Customs Act of 1901 is considered "restricted." Breeds currently prohibited under Commonwealth legislation are the dogo Argentino; fila Brasiliero; Japanese tosa; American pit bull terrier (or pit bull terrier); and Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario).
A person who owns a "restricted" dog must:
- keep the dog within a child-proof enclosure
- display warning signs at the entrance to the property where the dog is located
- muzzle the dog in public and have it under effective control at all times
- ensure the dog is spay/neutered, wearing a collar and a prescribed tag, and is microchipped.[15][16]|-
South Australia July 1, 2004 Restriction The dogo Argentino; fila Brasiliero; Japanese tosa; American pit bull terrier (or pit bull terrier); and Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario) are considered "prescribed breeds." Owners of prescribed breeds:
- must muzzle their dogs and ensure they are under effective control by means of physical restraint
- must spay/neuter their dogs
- may not sell or give away their dog, or advertise to sell or give away their dog[17]
Victoria November 2, 2005 Restriction "Restricted breed" dogs are defined as those dogs prohibited from being imported by the Commonwealth Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, including the Dogo Argentino, the Japanese Tosa, the Fila Brasileiro, the Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario) and the American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier). Of these, the Pit Bull Terrier and the Perro de Presa Canario are the only breeds currently known to exist in Australia.
[18]Restrictions on these breeds include:
- a permit is required for a person to have more than two of a restricted breed;
- escape-proof and child-proof enclosures;
- permanent identification using microchip technology;
- owners must notify their council if the dog escapes, dies or there is a change of ownership;
- in the case of a change of ownership, owners must advise prospective owners that the dog is a restricted breed;
- dogs must be leashed and muzzled when in public places;
- conspicuous "Beware: Restricted Dog" signs must be displayed on property access points; and
- minors are not to own a restricted breed or be in charge of a restricted breed in public places.[19]
Western Australia March 2006 Restriction The following dog breeds are restricted:
- Dogo Argentino (Argentinean mastiff)
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian mastiff)
- Japanese Tosa
- American Pit Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier breeds
- Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
- and any dog of a mixed breed that visibly contains any of these breeds.
All restricted breed dogs must be muzzled, leashed and controlled by an adult who is physically capable of handling the dog, in any environment except prescribed enclosures. Restricted breed dogs are also required to be sterilised unless there are extenuating circumstances relating to the animal’s physical condition or medical treatment. Owners of these breeds are required to display of warning signs where these dogs are kept, meet stringent fencing requirements, notify the local government of changes in the dogs status (moved, died,
etc..), and ensure their dogs wear dangerous dog collars.
[20]
