• PHOTO: Dangerous dogs are a hot topic around town once again.
BY LIAM MULHALL
COONAMBLE Shire Council recently reported on news of a dog attack in Coonamble, bringing to light the issue of dangerous dogs in Coonamble.
The dog was found to be unregistered and the owner now potentially faces fines in excess of $1500 dollars due to the incident.
With the Coonamble Shire ranked among the highest in the state for break and enter offences, having a dog in your yard is considered an effective way of protecting your property.
However, having an animal that can be threatening or violent brings risks and responsibilities.
Following news of the latest alleged attack the Coonamble Times asked locals about their thoughts on dangerous dogs, with the results sending a clear message – dangerous dogs cannot be allowed to roam the streets.
“There should be no aggressive dogs on the streets, the owners need to be held accountable,” said one local.
“Dogs should be kept in their yard unless on a leash, if you can’t control your dog while it’s on a leash leave it at home,” said another.
One local even told the story of a recent attack she suffered at the hands of two off-leash dogs.
“I got bit by two red cattle dogs last week and then got chased up Yarran Street by two different dogs last night (23 March).”
“All I’ve got to say is chain your dogs up, they chased me barking and being aggressive.”
“I used to have a dog that got aggressive when she got older, she was chained up 24/7 unless walking with me.”
Dogs that bite, threaten or even chase people down streets are officially labelled as ‘dangerous dogs’.
Owning a dangerous dog is itself not illegal, however, letting it roam the streets is.
The NSW government has a number of laws relating to dogs and owners must apply for a permit to keep a dangerous dog.
The dog must also be microchipped and desexed and cannot be left with a person under the age of eighteen.
The dogs’ enclosure must have signs ‘prominently displayed’ to warn passers-by that the dog is dangerous, and when the dog is outside its enclosure it must be on a leash and wearing a muzzle at all times.
Local council must also be contacted to discuss the enclosure the dangerous dog will be kept in.
Coonamble local, Mick Abrahall says that he is in a constant battle with dangerous dogs around town.
“I have to carry this around now when I want to go anywhere,” said Mick.
‘This’ is a half metre piece of metal pipe, that Mick wields when dogs bother him.
“I can only go so fast on my scooter, they come up to me and bark and bite.”
“I wave the pipe around to shoo them off.”
To help protect the community from dogs Coonamble Shire Council currently has a program available to encourage the desexing and microchipping of dogs.
Owners of dogs can receive subsidised desexing and microchipping as a part of the program.