Veterinarian Adam, with Tink, has noticed an increase in requests for pet DNA after new dog laws were introduced last month. 71533 Picture NICOLE SULTANA
BY VANESSA CHIRCOP AND NATALIE GALLENTI
VETERINARY clinics are being inundated by pet owners eager to prove their dogs are not dangerous.
Following the tragic death of four-year-old Ayen Chol and the new dog ownership laws that followed, many dog owners in Brimbank fear their dogs might be mistaken by neighbours and the council as a pitbull.
The new legislation introduced last month will see unregistered pitbulls seized and destroyed.
Not knowing the breed of their dogs and fearing they will be put down many residents are choosing to get their dogs DNA tested to find out what breed they are.
Veterinary nurse Kerry Bozicevic from Brimbank Vet Clinic said while the testing had been available for the past six months, there had been an increase in the enquiries they were receiving from concerned pet owners since the new laws were introduced.
Ms Bozicevic said people seemed keen to ascertain the definite breed of their dog.
She said dogs that had been tested included staffordshire terriers, heelers, golden retrievers and even a spoodle.
“People seem a little more fearful and want to know exactly what their dog is. Especially with cross breeds,” she said.
Altona Vet Clinic’s Dr Rod Sharpin said they had performed more than a dozen DNA tests on dogs since the new law came into play.
“Most of our clients that are coming in, may have dogs that could be considered of mistakenly identified as a pitbull,” he said.
Dr Sharpin said before the new law came in to effect they had barely performed any DNA tests on dogs.
“This test is aimed at trying to give the owners some piece of mind to confidently go to the council and know the breed of their dog.
“We can rule the dog out of being a pitbull but we can’t actually identify a pitbull,” he said.
“A pitbull has a number of genetic markers made up of a number of different breeds – so we can rule out pitbull but we can’t say that it is.”
Dr Sharpin said the test can never be used in a legal situation but was meant to add a little weight to a pet owner’s belief that their dog is not a restricted breed.
“A staffy (staffordshire terrier) or American Staffy is often confused for a pitbull,” he said.
Dr Sharpin said these breeds can be identified by the test so the owner can confidently say their dog is a Staffy or a Boxer etc…”
The Altona Vet said the situation was confusing but was not confident that the new laws would have the desired effect.
“I’m feeling sorry for everybody at the moment. My honest opinion is I don’t think they will really achieve a lot … and a lot of nice dogs may be put down because of it.”
Dr Sharpin said pet owners should not have any problems as long as their dog is registered, de-sexed and mircrochipped.
