PIT BULL EXILE OVER

 
The welcome sign is back up for banished dangerous pit bulls. Up to 30 restricted dogs, previously exiled to other areas of Australia, will be allowed back on the Gold Coast after Gold Coast City Council back flipped on its controversial dog laws yesterday. 

But the ruling came to late for many dogs, which have already been destroyed on the Councils orders. Councilors were forced to have a change of heart after several American Pit bulls, due to a flawed breed identification system. 

A landmark court case last year saw an alleged unregistered pit-bull was returned to his owner, although the council claimed it should be destroyed. Fonzie was rescued from death row after his owner successfully proved his pet was an American Staffordshire Terrier. 

Cr Dawn Crichlow yesterday said at least 60 animals had been destroyed or banished from the Coast since the laws were enacted two years ago. 

They included Pit Bulls, which were not given permits because their owners did not realise they were a restricted breed, and American Staffordshire's Terriers mistaken for Pit bulls by Council Officers. The Council will write to there owners, inviting them to re-apply for restricted dog permits. However, Cr Crichlow said the "cruel" laws were impossible right from the start. Dog owners have been forced to send their pets as far as Adelaide to rescue them from being destroyed by the Council, she said. 

Yesterday's decision does not completely repeal the dog laws and no pit bulls will be allowed in the region. The City Council's tough laws came into effect in September,2003, prohibiting any new Pit Bulls and their cross breeds being registered in the City. Although those already registered were able to remain for life, many owners became innocent victims of the law when their dogs, which they believed were staffie's, were labelled Pit Bulls by Council and removed. The Council have admitted they are not experts in identification. 

At the end of the day the Council does not have the skills or merit to issue restricted permits. 

Tugun's Gena Boag, who has shuffled her beloved Pit Bull around the Tweed and Brisbane areas because of the strict rules, said she was hopeful Oshiris would be allowed to return. "It was totally unfair in the first place, he is such a gentle dog you can put a duck, cat or chicken in front of him and he won't touch them, "she said. "He's never hurt anyone's kids can poke him and pull his tail and he won't do a thing." Ms Boag said she had even been forced to hide Oshiris on the Gold Coast at times after his registration and restricted dog permit was refused because she was 21 days late in reapplying. 

Cr.Crichlow said Ms Boag should be able to bring Oshiris home."Good on her," said Cr Crichlow. Cr. Rob Molhoek raised concerns that the 

Council would be liable if a returned dog attacked a person or other animal.

23rd August 05