Dog attacks down but Mayor wants zero

A zero tolerance policy towards dangerous dogs, by Moreton Bay Regional Council, is paying off with attacks on both people and dogs decreasing over the past year.

But Mayor Peter Flannery says he is disappointed to see an increase in attacks on native wildlife and other domesticated animals over the same period.

“It’s positive that we’re trending in the right direction, but it’s a blight on our region that we are still averaging two dog attacks each day on people or other animals,” he said.

“Clearly there’s still more work to be done, because there are a small number of irresponsible animal owners still failing to properly restrain and train their pets."

Moreton Bay Region dog attacks:

2019 - 765   2020 - 735

Dog attack on dog:

2019 - 400   2020 - 352

Dog attack on person:

2019 - 216   2020 - 208

Dog attack on another animal:

2019 - 149   2020 - 175

Suburbs with most regulated dogs:

Caboolture - 39

Kallangur - 33

Morayfield - 18

Deception Bay - 16

Burpengary - 15

Narangba - 13

Burpengary East - 12

Pets in Public Spaces

Mayor Flannery says Council is to trial a free monthly ‘Pets in Public Spaces’ activity to educate owners and also microchip their dogs for free.

“As a dog owner and lover I think this fantastic initiative, especially for new pet owners," he says.

“We know there’s been a significant increase in pet purchases and adoptions through COVID-19, so if you haven’t had your dog microchipped then come along.

“One unfortunate result of lockdown has been an increase risk to other animals like wildlife and domesticated cats, with those attacks rising a regrettable amount.

Lifelong scars

“I know the former Attorney General Yvette D’Ath was very concerned about dog attacks in her electorate of Redcliffe and, now as Health Minister, I know she’s been moved by the stories of dog attack victims and the lifelong scars they live with both physically and emotionally.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, 99 per cent of dog owners do the right thing, but it’s the 1 per cent who disregard their responsibilities that cause a lifetime of trauma for dog attack victims.

“It’s simply not good enough to blame an animal for a person’s negligence anymore.

“Council will continue doing its part to support responsible pet owners, and we will continue to throw the book at irresponsible pet owners.

Court action

Last month four dog owners were sent to be prosecuted by the courts after investigations concluded negligence had enabled their animals to pose a threat to public safety through attacks on persons and animals.

“I want everyone in our region to be able to confidently walk down the street without ever fearing the risk of a dog attack,” said Mayor Flannery.

Council runs an annual regulated dog inspection program to monitor dog owner’s compliance with mandatory conditions for keeping a regulated dog.

This year’s program started on April 1 and the inspection of 382 regulated dogs will finish on June 30.

Report dog attacks to Council 24/7 on 3205 0555 or 13000 477 161.

There's more news here