Ballarat family's pet dog on death row

By Jennifer Greive and Pat Nolan
Updated November 2 2012 - 5:49pm, first published October 2 2011 - 1:03pm
IMPOUNDED: David and Megan Thurston say they are devastated by the decision. Picture: Adam Trafford
IMPOUNDED: David and Megan Thurston say they are devastated by the decision. Picture: Adam Trafford

DAVID and Megan Thurston say they have been devastated by a decision to seize their pet pit bull terrier, Butch.The six-year-old red nose American pit bull terrier was taken from the Thurstons’ home in Canadian on Friday afternoon, just hours after the amnesty for dog owners to register restricted breeds came to a close.The dog is the first the City of Ballarat has seized since tough new laws on restricted breeds were introduced by the state government, aimed at ridding the streets of potentially lethal animals. But the Thurstons say it is just not fair.“We’ve tried to do the right thing and we’ve tried to do everything the right way. “We’re just devastated.“Our dog is like our baby, so it’s just like if one of your children or your mum or dad dies.”The Thurstons plan to appeal the decision.They say they were unable to register their dog, despite several attempts to do so over the phone and in person at the City of Ballarat offices. The amnesty on restricted dog breeds ended on September 29.The state government brought the deadline forward after a four-year-old girl was mauled to death by a pit bull cross in Melbourne in August.Councils across Victoria now have the right to seize and destroy unregistered restricted breed dogs.The changes mean that all restricted dog breeds – including pit bull terriers – must be registered, desexed, microchipped and kept in a secure location.A City of Ballarat spokesperson confirmed the dog had been seized.“It was known to council that a dog claimed by its owners to be a restricted breed was not registered by the expiration of amnesty,” the spokesperson said.“Council and police attended the home and collected the dog, which is currently impounded.“The owners have the right of appeal and council officers have spoken to the owners regarding this process.”In addition to losing their dog, the Thurstons could face a fine of almost $2500, under legislation currently before Parliament. The fine is double that of the previous penalty.A state government spokesperson said dog owners had 28 days to appeal a decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.“If owners do not appeal within that time-frame, council officers have the power to destroy the dog,” the spokesperson said.What do you think of the new laws? Have your say belowThe spokesperson said local councils were in the process of identifying which dogs may or may not be restricted breeds.According to state government figures, there are 254 restricted breed dogs, 243 menacing dogs and 220 declared dangerous dogs registered in Victoria.Two dogs in Ballarat are now registered as restricted breeds, while 12 are categorised as dangerous.American Pitbull Terrier Club of Australia president Colin Muir, who is based in Ballarat, said there was a misconception around how dangerous the dogs actually were. He said most people thought there were many more dangerous dogs in the community than was actually the case. “There are not as many around as people think,” he said.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Ballarat news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.