‘Dog laws are too lax’: Lawyer Bruce Simmonds backs dangerous dog crackdown on Gold Coast

A lawyer who has acted for numerous victims of dog bites in compensation claims says “attacks have been a constant danger on the Gold Coast for years”.

A LAWYER who has acted for “numerous” victims of dog bites in compensation claims says “attacks have been a constant danger on the Gold Coast for years”.

Parker Simmonds Solicitors and Lawyers litigation director Bruce Simmonds backed a push to ramp up patrols and increase fines to drive down attacks by vicious dogs on pets and their owners.

The drive for tougher penalties has been headed up by Robina councillor Hermann Vorster, who told the Bulletin existing laws were not doing enough to rein in owners and their aggressive, uncontrolled dogs.

Gold Coast lawyer Bruce Simmonds has backed the push for tougher laws to reduce dog attacks.

Mr Simmonds described himself as a long-time supporter of tougher dog laws and said owners must be held accountable for their pet’s actions.

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“Dog owners in town settings should be responsible for all actions of their dog. If they can’t look after it they shouldn’t have one,” he said.

“A dog should not be able to leave its home property to attack passers-by. In the country if a dog bit a person or stock it would be shot.

“What if the victim here was a child or a baby? Our dog laws are too lax.”

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Gold Coast City Council receives about 800 reports of aggressive dogs annually and declared 74 dangerous dogs last financial year.

Mr Simmonds suggested any crackdown on vicious dogs should include a “requirement for owners of dangerous dogs to have public liability insurance cover for their animals”.

“We should have a system that says you must have compulsory third party insurance when registering your dog. If the dog bites someone, there’s automatic liability on the dog’s owner,” he said.

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“The system could also provide for a substantial fine and the dog’s destruction if the dog’s insurance or registration lapses.

“Responsible owners will follow the rules, it’s the irresponsible or careless ones we need to target.

“If a person can’t insure their dog, they can’t have a dog, just as you can’t legally drive a car if there’s no CTP insurance.”

Mr Simmonds said Queensland dog owners should be “automatically liable” for their dog’s behaviour and be fined or jailed if they ignore their responsibilities.

Cr Vorster plans to table a proposed review of the council’s animal management laws at the next full council meeting.