<P> It is generally settled in case law that jurisdictions in the United States and Canada have the right to enact breed - specific legislation; however, the appropriateness and effectiveness of breed - specific legislation in preventing dog bite fatalities and injuries is disputed . One point of view is that certain dog breeds are a public safety issue that merits actions such as banning ownership, mandatory spay / neuter for all dogs of these breeds, mandatory microchip implants and liability insurance, or prohibiting people convicted of a felony from owning them . Another point of view is that comprehensive "dog bite" legislation, coupled with better consumer education and legally mandating responsible pet keeping practices, is a better solution than breed - specific legislation to the problem of dangerous dogs . A third point of view is that breed - specific legislation should not ban breeds entirely, but should strictly regulate the conditions under which specific breeds could be owned, e.g., forbidding certain classes of individuals from owning them, specifying public areas in which they would be prohibited, and establishing conditions, such as requiring a dog to wear a muzzle, for taking dogs from specific breeds into public places . Finally, some governments, such as that of Australia, have forbidden the import of specific breeds and are requiring the spay / neuter of all existing dogs of these breeds in an attempt to eliminate the population slowly through natural attrition . </P> <P> A study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2000 concluded that while fatal attacks on humans appeared to be a breed - specific problem (pit bull - type dogs and Rottweilers), other breeds may bite and cause fatalities at higher rates, and that since fatal attacks represent a small proportion of dog bite injuries to humans, there are better alternatives for prevention of dog bites than breed - specific ordinances . Given many media sources incorrectly reported that this study suggested that pit bull - type dogs and Rottweilers are disproportionately more dangerous than other dog breeds, the American Veterinary Medical Association whose journal published the original article released a statement detailing that this study "cannot be used to infer any breed specific risk for dog bite fatalities". A recent study examining dog - bite characteristics has suggested that targetting specific dog breeds can have significant negative outcomes . The study found that no significant difference existed between legislated and non-legislated dog breeds for the type of bite inflicted, and the medical treatment needed after the bite . The authors found that non-legislated dog breeds were less likely to be reported to the authorities both before and after the bite compared to legislated dog breeds . The publication suggests there is no scientifically valid basis for breed - specific legislation, and suggests significant negative consequences may result from its introduction . </P> <P> The importation of the Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier and Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario into Australia is absolutely prohibited . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> State </Th> <Th> Date </Th> <Th> Type </Th> <Th> Details </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New South Wales </Td> <Td> January 58, 2006 </Td> <Td> Restriction </Td> <Td> The following dogs are restricted dogs...: <Dl> <Dd> (a) American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, </Dd> </Dl> <Dl> <Dd> (b) Japanese tosa, </Dd> </Dl> <Dl> <Dd> (c) dogo Argentino, </Dd> </Dl> <Dl> <Dd> (d) fila Brasileiro, </Dd> </Dl> <Dl> <Dd> (d1) any other dog of a breed, kind or description whose importation into Australia is prohibited by or under the Customs Act 1901 of the Commonwealth, </Dd> </Dl> <Dl> <Dd> (e) any dog declared by an authorised officer of a council...to be a restricted dog, </Dd> </Dl> <Dl> <Dd> (f) any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section . </Dd> </Dl> <P> Restricted dogs may not be sold, given away, or acquired, and must be spay / neutered . They must be muzzled when in public, wear a special red - and - yellow collar, and may only be handled by a competent adult over the age of 18 . The dog must live a secure enclosure when at home, and the owner must post "Warning: Dangerous Dog" signs on their property . The owner must also register the dog with the local government and notify the government if the dog attacks a person or animal, cannot be found, dies, has moved out of the area, or is now living at a different location within the local government's jurisdiction . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Queensland </Td> <Td> July 1, 2009 </Td> <Td> Restriction </Td> <Td> A dog of a breed prohibited from importation into Australia under the Australian Customs Act of 1901 is considered "restricted". Breeds currently prohibited under Commonwealth legislation are the dogo Argentino; fila Brasileiro; Japanese tosa; American pit bull terrier (or pit bull terrier); and Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario). <P> A person who owns a "restricted" dog must: </P> <Ul> <Li> keep the dog within a child - proof enclosure </Li> <Li> display warning signs at the entrance to the property where the dog is located </Li> <Li> muzzle the dog in public and have it under effective control at all times </Li> <Li> ensure the dog is spay / neutered, wearing a collar and a prescribed tag, and is microchipped . - </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Australia </Td> <Td> July 1, 2004 </Td> <Td> Restriction </Td> <Td> The dogo Argentino; fila Brasileiro; Japanese tosa; American pit bull terrier (or pit bull terrier); and Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario) are considered "prescribed breeds". Owners of prescribed breeds: <Ul> <Li> must muzzle their dogs and ensure they are under effective control by means of physical restraint </Li> <Li> must spay / neuter their dogs </Li> <Li> may not sell or give away their dog, or advertise to sell or give away their dog </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Victoria </Td> <Td> November 2, 2005 </Td> <Td> Restriction </Td> <Td> "Restricted breed" dogs are defined as those dogs prohibited from being imported by the Commonwealth Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, including the Dogo Argentino, the Japanese Tosa, the Fila Brasileiro, the Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario) and the American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier). Of these, the Pit Bull Terrier and the Perro de Presa Canario are the only breeds currently known to exist in Australia . Restrictions on these breeds include: <Ul> <Li> a permit is required for a person to have more than two of a restricted breed; </Li> <Li> escape - proof and child - proof enclosures; </Li> <Li> permanent identification using microchip technology; </Li> <Li> owners must notify their council if the dog escapes, dies or there is a change of ownership; </Li> <Li> in the case of a change of ownership, owners must advise prospective owners that the dog is a restricted breed; </Li> <Li> dogs must be leashed and muzzled when in public places; </Li> <Li> conspicuous "Beware: Restricted Dog" signs must be displayed on property access points; and </Li> <Li> minors are not to own a restricted breed or be in charge of a restricted breed in public places . </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Western Australia </Td> <Td> March 2006 </Td> <Td> Restriction </Td> <Td> The following dog breeds are restricted: <Ul> <Li> Dogo Argentino (Argentinean mastiff) </Li> <Li> Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian mastiff) </Li> <Li> Japanese Tosa </Li> <Li> American Pit Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier breeds </Li> <Li> Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario </Li> <Li> and any dog of a mixed breed that visibly contains any of these breeds . </Li> </Ul> <P> All restricted breed dogs must be muzzled, leashed and controlled by an adult who is physically capable of handling the dog, in any environment except prescribed enclosures . Restricted breed dogs are also required to be sterilised unless there are extenuating circumstances relating to the animal's physical condition or medical treatment . Owners of these breeds are required to display of warning signs where these dogs are kept, meet stringent fencing requirements, notify the local government of changes in the dogs status (moved, died, etc ...), and ensure their dogs wear dangerous dog collars . </P> </Td> </Tr> </Table>

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