Extra license fees for un-neutered Rottweilers?

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

I came across this news article from Australia. I think it is a great idea in the light of all of the recent attacks we've been hearing about, not to mention the breed specific legislation that is a constant threat. Actually I don't know if the U.S. equivalent is already doing something like this, maybe they are?


The Advertiser January 28, 2002, Monday

HEADLINE: ROTTWEILER BREEDERS DEMAND LICENCE PLAN TO COMBAT BAD REPUTATION;
New image for dog that strikes terror;
Catalogue of attacks


ROTTWEILER breeders are fighting to change the image of their "loveable dogs" after a spate of violent public attacks.

The Rottweilers Club of South Australia has launched a public campaign, calling for breeders to be licensed and desexed dogs registered at a budget price.

Since last November, two adults and a child have been attacked by rottweilers in Adelaide suburbs. Charges have been laid in relation to one of the attacks. Last Friday, a four-year-old girl was taken to hospital after being bitten by her family's pet in Queensland.

"You need a licence to fish, to have a gun, drive a car but anyone can put two dogs together in the backyard and sell the progeny," the club's publicity officer, Josie Eiffe said. "There must be control over breeding and selling."

Mrs Eiffe said the club also wanted councils to charge $10 to register desexed dogs and a substantial fee - "maybe $100" - for non-desexed dogs.

"Potential owners must also be very careful and do their homework before they buy," she said.

"Registered breeders give back up. Backyard breeders just take your money."

The club has recruited a high-profile dog trainer to help its public campaign.

Christine Baverstock, who has a certificate for dog behavioural training from the Sydney-based Delta Society of Australia and also is a rottweiler owner, will help the club's trainers

"Rotties are one of the most loveable dogs you could find," Ms Baverstock said. "It must be remembered, however, they are bred to protect."

Ms Baverstock said councils should encourage dog owners to train their pets when they were registered.

"It is important to let your dog socialise from a very early age," she said. "If people don't put in the ground work with socialisation, the dog will not reach its potential as a trustworthy companion.

"Our aim is to get their reputation away from guard dogs and more to companion dogs. We use positive reinforced training, not reprimand or force.

"Even well-trained dogs have a ferocious bark.

"It doesn't matter how placid a rottie is, it can be used to alert."

Catalogue of attacks

January 25, 2002: A four-year-old Queensland girl was taken to hospital after being bitten by her family's rottweiler.

January 20, 2002: Linda DePasquale, of Salisbury Downs, almost had her index finger severed while trying to protect her schnauzer dog, which was being attacked by a german shepherd.

January 19, 2002: A four-year-old boy suffered facial injuries when he was attacked by the family's pet bull terrier.

January 1, 2002: A three-year-old boy was bitten on the head by the family's rottweiler while he was playing in the backyard of his Ingle Farm house.

November, 2001: A man in his 60s severely injured when mauled by two rottweilers in Melbourne's south-east.

November, 2001: Dr Patrick Moran - the husband of Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran - attacked by two rottweilers on the Morphett St bridge in the city.

August, 2001: Masseuse who lost fingers after being attacked by a client's rottweilers awarded $148,107.01 damages.

September, 2000: A man attacked by two rottweilers in Elizabeth North.

July, 2000: A bull mastiff-rottweiler attacks two men when they try to help its collapsed owner.

April, 2000: A two-year-old boy needed 44 stitches to his face after being savaged by a rottweiler.

April, 2000: A woman and her two daughters - aged 9 and 7 - were mauled in the parklands by an unleashed rottweiler.

[Sansano]

What does spaying or neutering your dog have to do with the recent attacks? Would that have stopped the attacks? We all know that proper genetics, socializing & training make a dog a reliable dog and not chopping off his testicles. I think its ludicrous to charge a much higher fee for those who don't 'fix' thier dogs. All that is gonna do is drop the amount of licensed dogs even more. This is a knee-jerk, band aid solution.

On the other hand, licensing breeders may not be a bad idea....I guess it would depend on how its done. I would welcome a proposition to at least look at.

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Originally posted by Sansano
What does spaying or neutering your dog have to do with the recent attacks? Would that have stopped the attacks?

The spaying/neutering isn't being suggested in the hope that it will make the dog less likely to attack. Spaying/neutering would result in fewer dogs, ultimately, or so it is hoped.

[Homerhomer]

I also don't buy this.
However, perhaps the idea of having license to own a dog would be a good thing. Just like with driving license you take the test. By the time you pay the fees, spend few hours preparing yourself, and going to the test, chances are that some will change their minds and simply buy a fish.

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

It's frustrating, to me, to read the continual stories about children being attacked and killed by Rottweilers (and other breeds) without at least having some things to think about to try and help eliminate the situation. This is just one idea.

[Sansano]

Originally posted by Homerhomer
I also don't buy this.
However, perhaps the idea of having license to own a dog would be a good thing. Just like with driving license you take the test. By the time you pay the fees, spend few hours preparing yourself, and going to the test, chances are that some will change their minds and simply buy a fish.

Peter,

Currently in NY state where I live, there is a law which makes me obligated to get a license for my dogs. Luckily, it doesn't make me pay a ludicrous fee for my boy who is intact.:)

[Sansano]

Originally posted by Soapie&Buddy'sMom
It's frustrating, to me, to read the continual stories about children being attacked and killed by Rottweilers (and other breeds) without at least having some things to think about to try and help eliminate the situation. This is just one idea.

Me too!! I just don't understand how paying high fees for licensing intact dogs is gonna help. I personally think the penalties for unleashed dogs that attack/kill are way too leniant. I wish more states would pursue manslaughter charges in those cases where people are killed. To me, it is like the gun laws. Making it horribly beaucratic and expensive will not help keep guns off the stree or out of criminals hands. Enforcing high penalties like life in prison for commiting a crime with the aid of a firearm though may help.

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Well maybe this will play out in Australia and we can see how effective it is. I don't know either if requiring owners of intact dogs to pay more would make a speck of difference. Then there is always the problem of people who don't bother to license their dogs at all so what do they care if its $10 or $1000.

[WorkinDogz]

Ahhh Mike.....

Different Counties; Different rules.

In the county I live in intact dogs and bitches DO pay a higher fee for licensing......

Doesn't bother me a BIT...... I paid it for my dogs that were intact; and quite frankly; let it cut into the profit margin of the BYB's who breed for bucks anyway.

[Wyzz Kydd]

I see the two issues under discussion potentially playing out as follows:

Granting the government authority to charge higher fees for dogs that aren't neutered or spayed could lead to selectively higher fees for specified breeds leading to fewer and fewer dogs of that breed leading to extremely high prices. Anyone ready to pay multiple thousands because the breed you choose to own is looked upon unfavorably?

Licensing fees are also IMHO a bad idea. They could very well become targeted, then it is an easy step to increase the fees to the point that you can't afford to own a Rottie, a GSD, or whatever politically incorrect breed you prefer.

I don't believe in prior restraint. If people who allow their dogs to behave irresponsibly are punished severely that should influence others who have the same tendancy to change their ways without restricting the freedom of dog owners who do act responsibly.

[magnumman414]

I feel we do need to try as a comunity of rottie owners to come up solutions other than blaming just the owners. while the core of each attack is the owner I think we also need to take a constructive look at why so many bad owners have rotties, why a breeder sold them a dog, and I feel the root of so many problems is back yard breeding and the cheap availabilty of our rotts the byb's provide.

I just don't think the it's "the owners not the dog" argument should be our only defence of our breed and we will never change the reputation of our breed as long as Billy Bob keeps breeding for the wrong reasons and selling them to any one to make a buck or two

[Tazwick]

Where I live it is also a higher fee if the dog is not neutered/spayed. It is 10.00 Can. for a dog that is neutered/spayed, and 30.00 for a dog that is not.

[rottnvegas]

Here in Vegas it costs $25 for intact dogs and $5 for spayed or neutered pets. Do you know how many people I know that have dogs that don't have this stupid pet license? I mean all you do is give them your money and they put your name in the computer, THATS IT. They don't provide any education of even a pamphlet on responsible dog ownership. They simply collect the fee, what a scam!