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Once the Bill has been passed by this Council, the Government intends to introduce regulations, which will classify dangerous dogs into three categories, namely fighting dogs, known dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dogs and set out the specific controls applicable to each category.
The "fighting dogs" category will consist of the Pit Bull Terrier and similar breeds. These dogs are liable to attack a person without provocation or warning and may inflict serious injuries or death. The proposed regulation will ban importation and breeding of such dogs. Possession of such a dog will also be prohibited unless it is neutered and covered by insurance to a value of not less than $100,000 to indemnify damage caused by the dog. If the breeder of an existing fighting dog surrenders his dog to the Director for destruction during the transitional period of 120 days, he will receive an ex-gratia payment of $3,000.
The "known dangerous dogs" category will consist of individual dogs classified as such by a magistrate on application to him that the dog has a history of attacking and injuring people. Possession of such a dog will also be prohibited unless it is neutered and covered by insurance to a value of not less than $100,000 to indemnify damage caused by the dog.
The "potentially dangerous dogs" category will consist of breeds including amongst others Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs. These breeds do not normally attack people without provocation but have the size, strength and potential ferocity of a guard dog. Such dogs are also capable of inflicting serious injuries on people if they attack.
Under the proposed regulation, it will be an offence to allow a dog in any of the three categories to go into or remain in a public place unless it is both on a leash and muzzled.
Mr President, I commend the Bill to this Council.
End