A heartbreaking incident on the NSW Central Coast has led to a coroner’s recommendation that could change the way dog owners in NSW care for their pets.
The tragic death of a five-week-old baby, who was mauled by the family’s American Staffordshire Terrier, has sparked a call for stricter pet ownership laws.
What Happened?
The incident occurred in July 2021 when the baby’s exhausted mother dozed off in a rocking chair while holding him. When she woke up, the baby was no longer in her arms and was found on the floor of his bedroom, brutally mauled by the family’s six-year-old dog.
The father told police he woke up to his partner crying, “The dog’s got the baby.” The newborn sustained multiple puncture wounds that were incompatible with life, and the dog was later euthanised.
A Pattern of Aggression
The inquest revealed that American Staffordshire Terriers, like the one involved in the incident, have been responsible for several vicious attacks in the past.
Veterinarian and ethologist Paul McGreevy told the inquest that these breeds have a propensity for initiating acts of aggression, and toddlers are particularly at risk if they crawl. In fact, evidence showed that American Staffordshire Terriers were responsible for the highest incidence of dog attacks from 2018 to 2021.
Calls for Stricter Laws
Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes has recommended that the Office of Local Government and Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig consider requiring pet owners to hold a license and receive safety and risk management training.
This could include a “special” category of license for dog breeds like Pitbulls and American Staffies, with additional conditions. Forbes believes that the current regulatory regime for pet ownership is not effective at minimizing the risk of serious or fatal dog attacks.
Proposed Changes
The proposed changes aim to reduce the risk of dog attacks, particularly on children. Some of the recommended changes include:
- Requiring pet owners to hold a license and receive safety and risk management training
- Introducing a “special” category of license for high-risk breeds
- Bolstering the powers of authorized animal officers to seize dogs or direct pets to be secured with a muzzle or lead if deemed necessary
- Examining the efficacy of current penalties for noncompliance and considering the creation of a stand-alone offense for dog attacks resulting in serious injury or death
A Review of the Companion Animals Act
The Office of Local Government is currently conducting a review of the Companion Animals Act and has pledged to take into consideration all of the issues raised in the inquest. This review could lead to significant changes in the way pet ownership is regulated in NSW.
The deputy state coroner acknowledged that the recommended regulations could be considered onerous by some people, but emphasizes that any disadvantage is far outweighed by the saving of lives and the prevention of injury.
As the community comes to terms with this devastating incident, it’s clear that something needs to be done to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.