... Children's lives are at risk

Kidsafe today backed tough new laws introduced in Victoria to rid the community of dangerous dogs.

Dr Mark Stokes, President of Kidsafe Victoria said, "Dogs and young children, especially babies and toddlers, do not mix. Dog attacks can leave children disfigured for life as well as being fatal."

Kidsafe supports the laws that will give council officers direct and strong powers to seize and destroy unregistered dogs found unsupervised in public areas if they are considered a risk.

?We also support the maximum penalties doubling for failing to register an animal and for dogs found not wearing council identification tags,? Dr Stokes said.

A report by the Monash University Accident Research Centre concluded that, "Dog bites are a substantial public health problem in Victoria, with approximately 435 hospital admissions for dog bite injury reported each year and a further 1,260 hospital emergency presentations."

"It?s quite simple, young children five years and under should not be left unsupervised with dogs including family pets,? Dr Stokes saidd.

Dr Stokes said it is quite clear that certain breeds of dogs, which have been bred for hunting, should not be anywhere near babies and young children, a stance which has been well promoted by the RSPCA.

Dr Stokes also reiterated Kidsafe?s earlier messages, calling for compulsory obedience and social training for all dogs, to be undertaken as part of dog licence requirements. No training, no licence, no dog.    

Kidsafe believes the community is not aware of the number of the number of reported dog attacks which take place within each local government area and also called for a monthly tally to be publicly released, similar to the road toll by councils.