Pig hunters become the hunted in dog crackdown

Pig Hunters Become the Hunted in Dog Crackdown
Australia - Pig hunting dogs may be banned in the Territory as authorities consider what action to take following another dog attack. There have been two pit bull terrier attacks in Darwin within a week, including one incident where a 13-year old boy was bitten on the arm. The victim, Eddie Kennedy, described the attack as unprovoked and said the pit bull has a history of aggression.

"It just looked at me and jumped up and bit me on my arm, and when it was on my arm I was like punching it in the throat, but it just didn't want to get off; it was just locked on. He let go and got a better grip and just shook his head."

Kennedy will have to undergo a skin graft and wants the dog euthanized.

The Territory Government is considering tighter restrictions and tougher penalties for the owners of dangerous dogs. Animal welfare advisor, Dr Steven Cutter says a ban on using dogs for pig hunting would reduce the amount of dog attacks on humans. He says pig hunting breeds such as pit bull terriers are often kept in people's back yards inappropriately.

"A lot of the unwanted dogs are also produced in the process of breeding dogs for pig hunting, so I actually think banning pig hunting with dogs like they have in a number of other states would have a significant impact on the number of dog attacks."

A ban on dangerous breeds is also being considered by the Darwin City Council. Lord Mayor Garry Lambert says there are irresponsible people who aren't controlling viscous and undisciplined dogs, and new by-laws will impose tighter controls on dangerous breeds like pit bulls terriers. He comments:

"This attack ... is the second attack in a very short period of time with this type of dog and this is the sort of incidence that would give the council the capacity to declare these dogs as dangerous dogs and have them either banned or controlled in a particular way."

The police seized the dog involved in the attack after the owners refused to surrender it. The future of the dog is still unclear.