The Bite, Issue 3, Equity for Pet Owners, Australia

7/31/2019 The Bite, Issue 3, Equity for Pet Owners, Australia

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www.barkingmad.org.au

to the third issue of the Bite. Barking Mad is thenational lobby group for pet owners rights. We

work to make our communities pet-friendly and toend discrimination of responsible pet owners.

Barking Mad: Why we are not about DOGSIf the laws restricting you fromtaking your dog to the beach, a caf,or on public transport were reallyabout dogs, then guide dogs andassistance dogs would also beprohibited: but they are not.

We allow dogs in national parks if they assist insearch and rescue, in airports and hotels if they

sniff for contraband, and were happy to have dogsin hospitals as therapy. We even use dogs as surflifesavers.

Australians have raised the status of our dogs fromfamily pet to family member and the largest groupof dog owners are families with children. Wespend $4.5 billion a year on our pets, or $1 a dayfor every dog in Australia.

So why then is this family member so malignedand unwelcome to accompany us in pubs,

playgrounds or on holidays? Why are we beingtold no-pets in rented accommodation or in strataunits? Current laws favour leaving our companionsat home often alone.

Dogs are companion animals. Responsibleowners will make appropriate decisions as towhere their pet should or should notaccompany them. Barking Mad supportsresponsible pet owners on a policy level.

As a member of the community, you have a right

to access community resources such as transport,parks, accommodation and beaches. Dont loseyour rights or your pets and dont complainwithout taking action: Join Barking Mad today.

Issue 3 ~ October 2007 ~ $2, free to members

Dog Poo the very mention ofit can get non-dog owners in anuproar! Factually, it doesntfigure high on the list ofcommunity issues when taken in

context but just talk about beach access for dogowners and WHAM, dog poo becomes moreimportant than jobs, schools and transport!

Dont BlameDont BlameDont BlameDont Blame MeMeMeMe !

So what do we do asresponsible owners? Werun The Campaign forCleaner Shoes. Sign upon the web. When weget enough names, wecan get council rangersto concentrate on things

that matter and enforcePOO offences, not innocuous offences such asbeach dog walking at 7am. Help dog owners clearour name like we clear our dog droppings.

Did you know that enforcement of dog lawsis discretionary? Thats why we have doggiedays out at no-dog parks (Newcastle),council events with dogs at childrens playareas (Manly), council areas that are very dogfriendly (Sydney and N. Sydney) and onesthat refuse any beach access (Warringah).

Not all signs are legal. Just because there is asign, there may be no legal authority toenforce it.


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At our last Salty Dogs Day Out ten members anddogs, several supporters and a member of ourlegal team had a picnic with the pooches on LongReef Beach on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Council has published that they have no jurisdictionwhere we were, but that didnt stop them sendingin the troops. As at the first Salty Dogs Day, therangers only appeared after the media and mostmembers had left so they had three rangers forfour people and one dog!

We received good media coverage and council sentan infringement notice months later. As they tookthe bait, we are, of course, challenging Warringahcouncil in court. PHOTO:LONG REEF BEACH

They have done it again another misguidedattempt to improve our society! First banning dogsfrom outdoor cafs, now saying you can only haveone dog per family unless you have enough moneyto buy a big lot, or dont want to live in atownhouse or on a small block. 20% of dogowners have more than one dog just make sureyou dont move to some Queensland Councils.

Barking Mad has called on the new Premier to actswiftly and end this madness. We are also gettinga legal team together with the assistance of thepublic interest law clearing house.

Ask your local councillor to what degree localgovernment is driven by residents complaints anddont be surprised to get an answer of 100%.Shocking as this may be, the fact remains that

COMPLAINING is an effective means for change atthe local government level.

So, get writing about yourright to access communityresources with your pet.

Take your pet to councilmeetings (as long as it is betterbehaved than the average toddler!) Click on theTAKE ACTION page of the web and sign up to theletter writing team, one letter = 100 votes.

Paws for thought: Are dogs and pet owners aneasy target for a society frustrated at things wecant control such as youth crime, graffiti, trafficaccidents, etc?

PHOTO: EDNA,PEMA &EEDRA

Dogs arent allowed!Its a health risk. OhReally? After visiting

hospital patients withmy dog Pema, I reflecton the pleasure shebrings to people. Duringthe simple act of a

doggie-visit, emotionsof joy from patients andstaff run high I am

compelled to debunk this health risk myth.

Searching the Food Acts and Standards of NSWand Queensland, we find no current or

enforceable dog prohibitions except thoseapplying to working dogs in knackeries and otherprocessing facilities. October 2008 will bring inlimited restrictions on animals and pests wherefood is prepared for vulnerable populations suchas for aged care, hospitals or child care centres.

Tired of people reciting the health issue mantraabout dogs? Try responding with What law? Andin the absence of such, does that mean you haveno personal objection?

Our Patron Mike says: My dog has made me abetter person; our dogs make us a bettercommunity. Let them inspire us to ask for bettergovernance. Read more on the web click onPATRONS or HEALTH at barking-mad.com.au.


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Our patron Kaytravels regularly withSpot and Buffy onher Suzuki Bandit.With one dogsecured on the tankand one in her jacket,they have travelledfrom Melbourne toTownsville and back.Kay says They loveto travel and getreally excited at

going for a rideinstead of a merewalk. People love them too; often car drivers willphotograph us with their phones. It is pretty funny

in traffic passing car after car; Spot (Speed RacerDog) likes to bark at other dogs as we pass. Thiscan be disconcerting for other dog owners whocan't work out where she is. She can see lyingdown as she sticks her nose forward and peersthrough the windshield.

Kay doesnt have a car saying I never liked them.They are slow in traffic, bad for the environmentand you cant see much. The best part oftravelling with pets is the enjoyment they get outof it and other peoples enjoyment at seeing

them. Read more about Kay, click patrons onthe web at barking-mad.com.au.

We have chosen to review some of the questionsreceived from members and to promote the factthat your dog (horse, cat) may have public liabilityinsurance.

In our first newsletter, we explained how it is legalto leave your pooch secured in a public place. Lastissue, we explained the legalities about keepingpooch secured safely in your vehicle.

In both instances, it goes without saying that thesafety of the public, and your dog, is your

responsibility. However, there is a catch. If youleave your dog tied up because you are (wrongly)denied entry to a facility with your dog, and yourdog is stolen (sadly, it happens), you mayhave a

valid claim against the owner of the facility.

Public Liability: Check your home contentsinsurance policy. Your domestic pets are usuallycovered at home and outside the home. Ifsomething happens and you are not deemed to benegligent, you should be insured.

My dog is a registered companion animaland has $10 million liability coverage. Itsamazing how many places this statement gets youin to! (Get your Barking Mad ID badge email us).

Cases: The Magistrate dismissed PittwaterCouncils prosecution for the dog that crossed thebeach from a boat to a water access home andwas highly critical of Pittwater Council in this andother prosecutions on the day.

Responsible pet owners makeresponsible tenants. Whenvacancy rates are low, itbecomes even more difficult torent with pets. One renting expert in Sydneyclaims that you are better off not disclosing yourpets as it is harder to evict a good tenant than it isto say no pets when advertising.

Pets are allowed in public housing units, yet onthe private market, renters face indirect

discrimination every day. Barking Mad can assisttenants with pets. If you have faceddiscrimination because you are a responsible petowning tenant contact us. We are looking for acase to take forward on indirect discrimination.

You will need to have a steely determination andan abundance of patience, but it will be for thepublic good!

Barking Mad is seeking sponsorship:please contact us.

Our patron Mike and hisbig dog Bondi.

El Loco & El Lobotravelling throughEurope since 2005.

Until next time, enjoy your companions.

Barking MadMs. Eedra Zey

PO Box 310Woy Woy, NSW [email protected]

Disclaimer: not to betaken as legal advice.

Phone: 0418 463 360


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Barking Mad making our community pet friendly.

Barking Mad will lobby for companion animal lawsthat reflect the importance of pets in our life.

http://barking-mad.com.au

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Signature: .Institution and addressYour membership of Barking Mad makes a difference. Please include your email address or a FAXnumber to receive our newsletter, The Bite.

Post to Barking Mad, PO Box 310, Woy Woy, NSW 2256 or email [email protected]

Fighting Fund - Exclusive to Members of Barking Mad. If you are supporting the work for increasedaccess for responsible pet owners, and you receive a fine, the Fighting Fund mayprovide you with financial relief. (see website for terms & conditions.)

Merchandise: Cool Dog Beach Bags water bottle, bucket, blanket, umbrella & bag.$29.95 NOW ON SALE: $24.95

The Bite, Issue 3, Equity for Pet Owners, Australia

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