The facts about restricted and dangerous dogs in Victoria

DANGEROUS and restricted dogs in Victoria - all you need to know.

American pit bull

VICTORIAN laws restricting the ownership of pit bull terriers have let cross-breeds slip through the cracks, according to the Lost Dogs Home's Dr Graeme Smith.

Pit bull terriers are a restricted breed in Victoria and it has been illegal to acquire them in since November, 2005.

They cannot be imported either.

Pit bull terriers must be microchipped, muzzled and leashed in public, and must be desexed.

They must also be kept in an outdoor enclosure made of brick, concrete, chain mesh or similarly tought materials.

Owners must also display a "restricted breed'' sign on all entrances to their premises.

For a dog to be declared dangerous in Victoria it must have attacked someone and caused serious injury.

Dr Smith said the restricted animals register needed to be broadened to include pit bull cross breeds.

"Let's say you get a puppy you can't register it in Victoria, what you have to do you have to become imaginative," he said.

"You have to describe it as a bullmastiff, or a staffordshire cross.

"You can call it anything but an American pit bull terrier,'' Dr Smith said.

According to the Animal Welfare Bureau there are 72 registered pit bull terriers in Victoria.

But Dr Smith said there were far more.

"It's a gross underestimation of then numbers of American pit bull terriers that are out there in the community,'' he said.

FACTS

The five restricted breeds in Victoria. Click here for more details

American pit bull

1. American pit bull terrier

Perro de presa canario

2. Perro de presa canario. Picture: Flickr

A dogo argentino

3. Dogo argentino. Picture: Flickr

A japanese tosa

4. Japanese tosa. Picture: Flickr

Fila Brasileiro

4. Fila brasileiro. Picture: Flickr

* It is illegal to import or acquire an American pit bull terrier in Victoria;

* Pit bull terriers must be microchipped, muzzled and leashed in public, and must be desexed;

* They must also be kept in an outdoor enclosure made of brick, concrete, chain mesh or similarly tought materials;

* Owners must also display a "restricted breed'' sign on all entrances to their premises;

* For a dog to be declared dangerous in Victoria it must have attacked someone and caused serious injury:

* Owners have until September 1, 2012 to declare and register their restricted breed dog with their local council, but must prove it was kept in Victoria prior to 1 September 2010. If the dog isn't registered with the local council by this date it will be put down;

* Contact your local Council for more information regarding ownership of restricted breed dogs;

* Information on the identification standard for restricted breed dogs can be obtained by calling the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.