AVA's proposed new rules for us...

On the 8th of November, there is a proposed new law for Rottweilers...

Found on the Straits Times here...

AVA to take the bite out of rottweilers

Proposed rules include compulsory obedience training and insurance. -ST

Sat, Nov 08, 2008
The Straits Times

By Kimberly Spykerman & Amresh Gunasingham

OWNERS of rottweilers may soon have to buy insurance, place a surety and send their dogs for obedience training.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is looking at making such changes to its licensing requirements for those owning what the authority terms 'potentially dangerous dogs'.

If the new rules are approved, owning a rottweiler could become more costly.

Proposed rules for dangerous dogs

Dogs banned here:

• Perro De Presa Canario, Cane Corso and Dogue De Bourdeaux to be added to the list that now includes the pit bull, Akita, Neapolitan mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel and all their crosses.

Dogs that must be leashed and muzzled:

• Bull terrier, rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, German shepherd (with its related breeds such as the Belgian shepherd), mastiffs and all their crosses

New category for rottweilers and all its crosses

In addition to leashing and muzzling the dogs, owners must also:

• Implant a microchip in the animal
• Take up an insurance policy of at least $100,000
• Put up a banker's guarantee of $2,000, which will be forfeited if the dog strays, bites a person or is reported lost
• Send their dogs for obedience training
  

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Should Bruno and I take up the mantel of educationists? We have tried our very best to change people's mindset... we have even braved going to dog shows organized by the AVA as a practical display of just who we really are and can be.
This new BSL, or Breed-specific Legislation would have long and far-off effects on the pet population in Singapore.
Irresponsible people like the Singh Family and their 5 rotties have most likely prompted this new BSL. How can we fight this?
The America Temperament Test Society is constantly updating their stats... and guess what...
From the ATTS, the first column is the total number of dogs tested, the second is the total number of dogs passed, third would be the ones that failed and the last would be the percentages.
Like all statistics, the more samples tested, the more accurate the picture... and Rottweilers have almost 5000 tested, far above German Shepherds as well as Golden Retrievers and Jack Russells and Labradors.
Some may argue that the new BSL is punishing errant owners monetary wise... But BSL has shown not to work at all, but to only eradicate the breed specific to it. Instead, owner education is so much more important.

As search and rescue dogs, we risk ourselves to save humans and ask nothing in return but a pat on our heads. If we are to pay insurance for ourselves to protect others from us, what happens then when we do help others? should we get paid in return? Also, obedience training does not ensure that the dog does not misbehave. In fact, our SCDF instructors preferred that the dog is not strictly obedience trained as we are to roam the rubble to look for people in help.

Interview US. The media has been widely blamed for ALL THESE misrepresentations of our breed. Why do you not take a look on the other side of the fence? Hopefully we win the Clubpets cover dog competition and have a great way to talk to others about us... and also hopefully another friend would be able to secure an article on her school magazine...

Wish us luck.