Greater than 1,000 canine assaults had been reported throughout New South Wales in three months, with the excessive determine attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and irresponsible breeders.
Key factors:
- There have been 1,150 canine assaults reported throughout NSW between April and June
- Blacktown native governman space had the best variety of assaults with 81
- A canine behaviourist says COVID-19 lockdowns and irresponsible breeders are accountable
The council areas with the best studies of canine assaults between April and June this 12 months had been Blacktown with 81, the Central Coast with 68, Lake Macquarie with 58, Shoalhaven with 57, and the Northern Seashores with 42, based on the Workplace of Native Authorities.
The overall determine was 1,150.
It comes after a toddler was killed in a canine assault in Cowra final week, leaving the small neighborhood “numb”.
Police mentioned the canine concerned had been secured in a yard, and that investigations into the circumstances main as much as the incident had been ongoing.
Put up-pandemic strain
Whereas the newest figures had been down 15 per cent from the identical interval earlier than the pandemic, Hunter-based canine coach and behavior advisor Eve McKenzie mentioned lockdowns had amplified emotions of tension in lots of canine, growing the probability of an assault.
She mentioned it was a standard response for canine to be aggressive after they felt threatened or scared.
“More often than not, canine who’re attacking different canine or folks, are doing it as a result of they’re often afraid of them,” she mentioned.
Ms McKenzie mentioned many canine lacked interplay with folks, different animals, and the surface world for months due to COVID-19.
“The canine at the moment are going out and the world is manner too overwhelming,” she mentioned.
“After which we’re placing a canine able the place they’ve no different selection however to make use of their mouth to inform this individual or canine to go away.”
Ms McKenzie mentioned a canine breeding “explosion” additionally occurred throughout the pandemic.
“We had been all working from house and wished a companion,” she mentioned.
“However these puppies most likely weren’t essentially bred in a strong method.
“They most likely would not have had a desensitisation program to the world previous to being adopted.”
Ms McKenzie mentioned some breeding companies contributed to behavioural issues in puppies as a result of their practices had been less than customary.
“I might actually prefer to see breeding practices improved … we want to make it possible for they’re strong,” she mentioned.
She mentioned it was important future canine homeowners did their analysis concerning the breed of canine they bought.
“We have to make certain that the breed is appropriate for our life-style and the place we’re dwelling,” she mentioned.
“For those who’re dwelling in the course of Sydney and you are going to go get a pet from Dubbo, then it’s essential to contemplate whether or not the breeder has been in a position to undertake a desensitisation program with these puppies to have the ability to assist them efficiently transition into metropolis life,” she mentioned.
NSW canine legal guidelines ‘sturdy’
The Workplace of Native Authorities in a press release mentioned the state authorities had a number of the strongest canine legal guidelines within the nation.
“The Companion Animals Act 1998 empowers councils in NSW to categorise sure canine as restricted, harmful or menacing,” the assertion reads.
It says “heavy penalties” embody on-the-spot fines of $1,760 for breaching strict management measures and most penalties of as much as $16,500.
The Central Coast Council, which had the second-highest charge of canine assaults within the state, mentioned it additionally had strategies in place to assist forestall assaults.
A spokesperson mentioned in a press release that measures included schooling for canine homeowners, free microchipping occasions, and responding to complaints about aggressive canine.
“Whereas all canine assaults are distressing, council is happy that the variety of canine assaults council is conscious of within the native authorities space has diminished [from last year].”
