What the experts think
Published 7 months, 3 weeks ago in Where I Live.Well, well, well. It seems that even the experts have nothing but condemnation for Glen Eira Clowncil’s draft Animal Management Plan. Below is a letter by one of Victoria’s leading vets (Ann Nevill) which appeared in this week’s Moorabbin Leader:
“The Glen Eira Council has requested feedback from the community members on the initial draft concerning dog laws. As a local vet of 35 years experience I was asked to look over the document. While not being grossly anti-dog, there are concerns with the phrasing and intent of this draft.
There is no mention in this document of the rights of dog owners that I can see. Denying rights to a sector of society, and making laws discriminating against them is a proven way to engender hatred towards them by the rest of the population.
We all remember Germany in the 1930s; this is of course an extreme example, but we all have to remember the mistakes of the past in assessing our attitudes, and be mindful of legislating in a biased fashion.
According to my discussions with Bayside Council, for most ratepayers the major issues are poo pick-up and barking lonely dogs, so let’s have more bags, more bins and more education.
The most serious problem is unsupervised kids and dogs, so let’s have education for both parties here, especially in the home where the majority of serious dog attacks occur.
Russell McMurray from the DPI, who has the job of reading all serious dog attack reports, claimed that the common factor in these ‘attacks’ is human ignorance or laziness and my experience backs up this observation.
A protocol that emphasises education, responsible dog ownership and mediation would make our municipality one of the best in Melbourne. Now is the time to act”.
2 Responses to “What the experts think”
Leave a Reply
Your reply will not appear on the site until it has been approved
‘Responsible dog ownership’ is the catchcry of Glen Eira Council. But what does it mean? Here is the view from the top in Glen Eira News of May 2007:
…Pets make wonderful companions for people of all ages. Pets provide hours of fun, relaxation, happiness and unconditional love. Owning a pet can not only boost self
esteem and relieve stress, but it can improve health. Along with these benefits, however, come certain responsibilities to pets and the community. Caring for pets takes time, commitment and effort, so anyone wishing to own a pet should choose one which suits their lifestyle and surroundings. The feature on page eight and nine of this edition of the Glen Eira News has been compiled to help pet owners in Glen Eira look after their dogs and cats in ways which respect the rights of other members of the community. …
and in June 2007 issue:
…Council’s Manager Civic Compliance John Bordignon said the renewal rate was disappointing and represented a lack of regard by pet owners of responsible pet ownership. “Pet registration is the key to responsible pet ownership and is the key to pet identification.” Mr Bordignon said. “Pet owners not responding to the reminder will be visited in early June and could be fined up to $215 if they still refuse to pay the registration.” …
This campaign was followed by the appropriately acronymed DAM plan this year. There is no dog training facilities in Glen Eira like other Councils while the 50m rule for dog walking restricts severely the open space for dog walkers. Other Councils have a 20m rule. The plan has no proposals to provide for dog owners. Reads like a DAM dogs plan.
AND THE CATCHCRY ‘CATCH THE DOG OWNERS AND SLUG THEM’.
Nookers how is your Council treating ‘the dog - man’s best friend’.
I walked my son to school today
My attempt to be more green
But what I found along the way
I felt to be obscene
We stepped to the left
We hopped to the right
We dodged and then we weaved
Of 8 times this we had to do,
I promised, I don’t deceive.
Man’s best friend we call them so,
We walk them rain or shine,
But it is really necessary,
For what they leave behind?
A steaming mass,
A stinking pile
A mountain in the street
Children playing, adults walking
What a mess under your feet
So let me plead with all in mind,
If your doggy needs to go,
Take a bag,
Collect a scoop,
And away with it, you throw.
If you are caught,
If you are seen, a challenge should ensue,
“Excuse me sir, I wonder if you’d take that home with you?’
Let’s keep our village nice and clean,
Let’s be proud of it.
Let’s not allow it to become,
A great big pile of ****!
Compliments of Nic Daykin, Villager of Benton, England and doggy owner (complete with lots of bags!!)