AIAM Annual Conference on urban animal management
Mercure Hotel
Geelong Victoria

13-16 October 2009

Main Conference Page | REGISTER HERE
Geelong1 Geelong2 geelong3 geelong4

 

WEDNESDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2009

 

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND BEHAVIOUR TESTING: LESSONS FROM THE BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES: WHAT MAKES A GOOD TEST OF CANINE BEHAVIOUR?

Pauleen Bennett

Director, Anthrozoology Research Group, Animal Welfare Science Centre, Monash University

A core responsibility for local government in Australia is to increase community safety through the removal or control of dogs likely to represent a threat to the health of humans or other animals, while simultaneously facilitating responsible ownership of the vast majority of dogs, who represent no such threat but confer on the community a great number of benefits. Dangerous dogs are not currently identifiable by breed, type, size or any other measurable physical or physiological characteristic. Assessors therefore typically rely on observations of canine behaviour to make inferences about the temperament or personality of a particular dog, and to predict how that dog is likely to react in various situations. This is made difficult by the fact that dogs which are dangerous in one situation may be entirely safe and well-behaved in another. Similar problems have challenged behavioural scientists, studying animal and human behaviour in numerous different settings, for decades. The result is that there are well-established principles that must be adopted when developing, evaluating, administering and interpreting behavioural tests. The objective in this presentation is to clarify exactly what it is we should be trying to measure in potentially dangerous dogs, and then to provide a simple overview of three guiding principles that guide how behavioural tests can be used and interpreted – reliability, validity and feasibility. At the completion of the presentation, those attending will have a better idea of how to evaluate existing tests of canine behaviour.

 

RELIABILITY, VALIDITY AND FEASIBILITY OF EXISTING TESTS OF CANINE BEHAVIOUR

Kate Mornement, Samia Toukhsati, Grahame Coleman, Pauleen Bennett

Anthrozoology Research Group, Animal Welfare Science Centre, Monash University

Domestic dogs play a large number of important roles in modern societies. Thousands work as police dogs, detector dogs or assistance dogs and up to 3.75 million dogs are kept as companion animals in Australia alone. The success of dogs in these various roles depends critically on their behaviour, leading to the development of a wide range of behavioural tests, sometimes also erroneously called temperament tests or personality tests. Welfare shelters regularly administer behavioural tests to inform decisions about whether individual dogs are suitable for rehoming; service organisations administer them to predict which dogs are most likely to succeed in specific roles; breeders administer similar tests to puppies in order to match puppies with suitable prospective owners. While such objectives are admirable, scientists who have recently begun to comprehensively review available tests of canine behaviour have concluded that they are generally inadequate. Few have been tested for reliability and validity, those that have either fared very poorly or are not feasible within the constraints of normal workplace practices. This clearly presents a significant problem for those wanting to assess canine behaviour. The use of invalid tests may result in dogs being incorrectly classified as safe or unsafe, with potentially devastating consequences. The objective in this presentation is to review current scientific information about available testing practices, particularly tests used to measure aggressive or fearful tendencies. The need for caution in using these existing tests and interpreting the results will be stressed.

 

DEFINING THE TERM PERSONALITY: ASSESSMENT OF PERSONALITY IN DOGS

Jacqui Ley, Pauleen Bennett

Anthrozoology Research Group, Animal Welfare Science Centre, Monash University

Many existing assessments of dog behaviour fail to acknowledge that there can be many motivators for specific behaviours. Biting, for example, can be inspired by anger, fear, anxiety or playfulness, depending upon the situation and the individual dog. In order to understand motivational factors that drive typical behaviours, it is necessary to examine the psychology of dogs. In humans, psychologists use the term personality to describe the relatively consistent behavioural tendencies of an individual. A person who is described as agreeable is highly likely to act agreeably across a number of situations, even though the exact behaviours exhibited may change. Behavioural scientists have established that many nonhuman animals also exhibit personalities. These species include dogs, with research based on owner descriptions showing that dogs vary across five personality dimensions: Extraversion, Amicability, Training Focus, Motivation and Neuroticism. It is not yet known whether any of these personality dimensions are associated with the tendency of a dog to bite or engage in other inappropriate behaviours, however it is instructive that owners do not report a single dimension of aggression or fearfulness. This supports the view that many factors may combine to motivate biting behaviour, including personality, but also previous experiences and current circumstances. The objective in this presentation is to discuss the need for assessments to include a sophisticated analysis of all relevant factors. Only then will we be able to accurately predict how an individual animal is likely to behave in a given situation. 

 

BUT WHERE WILL THE DOG LIVE? ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND THE SHRINKING AUSTRALIAN BACKYARD

Mrs Susie Willis

 Petcare Information And Advisory Service

Almost a quarter of Australians currently live in medium to high density housing - a situation that is predicted to dramatically increase in the future.

Australians will continue to want to own pets whether they live in a house with a large backyard or a townhouse or apartment.  Thiswill bring new challenges for many people as they learn to live in smaller spaces and compete to use public services and public open space. Pet owners will face unique issues, as will those involved in animal management. 

A research project undertaken by PIAS in 2008 examined the ownership and management of dogs and cats in high density living environments.  This paper will discuss the research findings; how many people keep pets in the city, how they manage them, the difficulties they experience and how they overcome those difficulties.  Statistical data will be presented along with a discussion of strategies and resources available to assist with the management of pets in high density surrounds.  This information will help AMOs to better understand and plan for the needs of all residents, particularly those living in smaller spaces with pets. 

 

PLANNING FOR DOGS IN OPEN SPACES

Ms Lesley Humphreys, Dr Linda Marston

 Animal Aid / Paws4Play

Planning for Dogs in Open Space with a focus on

  1. Dog Parks (fully enclosed / specifically designed) - planning criteria, different levels of provision, components, design and landscaping considerations, dog behaviour and Dog Parks, volunteers
  2. Cross organisation planning (the how, the what, the who)
  3. strategic planning and policy requirements e.g. recreation, open space, community development
  4. benefits of effective / integrated planning process and model polic ies for adaption by councils
  5. the place and benefit of a policy that underpins directions / aspirations
  6. lessons learned from overseas and examples of international provision

CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS

Ms Cimon Burke

 Wallmans Lawyers, Senior Associate

Investigations into suspected unlawful activity may trigger one or more enforcement options available to AMOs, including administrative mechanisms such as Control Orders and otherwise, expiation or prosecution. AMOs must strictly abide the scope and limitations of their statutory powers as the enforcement options they may pursue as a result of their investigations are amenable to challenge by way of judicial review. This is where the Courts are called upon to review the administrative processes including the decisions and actions of AMOs to ensure they have exercised their administrative powers lawfully, fairly and reasonably. Furthermore, where a prosecution eventuates, trial Courts will observe the ‘rules of evidence’. An effective investigation is one that is carried out in accordance with the legal principles that regulate the investigation process, and, therefore, an understanding of these matters is essential. In particular, this paper examines the principles and practices of conducting effective investigations, including the fundamentals of evidence gathering and the key rules of evidence.

 

Separately, of course, the empowering legislation may also provide for a merits review (not of the processes) of a particular enforcement action.

 

 

BLACK SATURDAY – AN EMERGENCY ANIMAL MANAGEMENT PLAN PUT TO THE TEST

Mr Greg Talbot

Shire Of Yarra Ranges

Black Saturday is now etched into the fabric of Victorian communities. The horror that unfolded on Saturday 7 February 2009 was unprecedented in Australian bushfire history. The nation had never before seen fires of such intensity nor had the losses to life and property been so great.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges was but one municipality directly impacted upon by the Black Saturday fires.

Home to a population of around 140,000 the Shire covers an area of around 2500 square kilometres. The Shire stretches from the densely populated suburbs of outer eastern Melbourne up into the surrounding foothills, agricultural valleys and forested areas of the Great Dividing Ranges. It is one of Victoria’s largest, most varied and scenic municipalities.

After the flames were extinguished and the smoke drifted away the toll in the Shire alone was counted at 11 dead, thousands of hectares of pasture and forest had been lost and 140 homes destroyed.

Black Saturday was preceded by years of drought. Authorities had warned that the 2008/09 fire season threatened to be the worst in many years.

It was with these warnings in my mind the Shire Local Laws team set about planning for such an emergency.

Under Victorian law every municipality must have in place an Emergency Management Plan. The Shire did have such a plan in place however it became immediately apparent that the fundamental issue of animal welfare was a matter not accounted for. The team developed what was known as the “Interim Animal Emergency Management Plan”. That plan was put to the test on Black Saturday.

 

THE BURNING QUESTION – WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES? EXPERIENCES FROM A SHELTER ON THE FRONTLINE

Dr Linda Marston

Monash University & Animal Aid Trust, Victoria

Animal Aid is situated in Coldstream just a few miles from the Yarra Valley areas that were ravaged in the recent Victorian Bushfires. As such it was a frontline agency for responding to the animal victims of the bushfires both large and small. This tragedy presented animal management and welfare bodies with enormous challenges in mobilising food, bedding and veterinary care in a timely manner for domestic pets, livestock and wildlife. This presentation will outline the experiences and the challenges of obtaining, storing and distributing supplies and veterinary care rapidly into areas with limited access. Inadequacies in our current response and opportunities to improve this will be highlighted.

 

DISASTER PLANNING FOR PETS WITHIN SURF COAST SHIRE

Mr Tony Rolfs

Surf Coast Shire, Victoria

Living amongst the spectacular Great Otway National Park, the Surf Coast Shire is one of Victoria’s highest fire danger areas.  Struck by they devastating bushfires of Ash Wednesday in 1983 and many other smaller but significant blazes over the decades since, highlighted the need for a coordinated and managed approach to dealing with the impact of an emergency, whether it be fire or flood, on domestic pets and their owners.  This Plan was borne from the concern that people would be distraught enough by the impact of the particular emergency without having to face the prospect of leaving their pets behind not being permitted within a relief centre or emergency accommodation.  The Plan utilises businesses that exist within, and outside of, the municipality and formalises the procedures that would be in place should an emergency arise.

 

ABUSE OF POWERS BY AMOS

Ms Adele Steel 1, Ms Kate Oliver2

1 Dog & Cat Management Board, 2 Norman Waterhouse Solicitors

A recent investigation by the Ombudsman in South Australia found that some AMOs were either not aware of their powers or were stepping beyond the legislative framework that had been established for them.

The subsequent report by the ombudsman identified a lack of training as a significant issue that effected how AMOs in South Australia could successfully carry out their duties.

This presentation will include a section presented by a legal practitioner on the failings discovered by the Ombudsman and common traps for new players.

It will also include a presentation by an employee of the Dog & Cat Management Board on the Board’s response particularly in relation to the development of an induction package for all AMOs in South Australia.

 

CATS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT, IS THERE AN EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE METHOD?

Mr Shane Scriggins 1, Dr Richard Murray 2

1 Sunshine Coast Regional Council, 2 Western Suburbs Vet Clinic

In late 2005 Caloundra City proposed the writing of a discussion paper defining the City’s needs and expectations in respect of a cat management policy position.

To objectively assess all of the issues and concerns concerning cats raised by residents, Council engaged renowned veterinary consultant (Dr Richard Murray and its Senior Local Law Officer, Mr Shane Scriggins) to research what might be the most effective method of cat management currently being applied through both local government in Australia and internationally.

Our research identified that whilst much has been written on the subject of cats there is limited research published in Australia on effective and efficient cat management policies in step with community expectations. There is general acknowledgment, however, that (as with all other aspects of urban animal management) cat management is a more complex issue than it might seem at first glance and no one really knows for sure what works best and that local government should not be reluctant to think for itself in formulating its own approach. 

There is a consensus in current literature and research that cat management both in urban and non-urban precincts is important and in Caloundra City’s case warranted. What is less clear however, is what constitutes the best method of achievement.

Local Government is encouraged when deliberating on its management strategy not to think only in terms of legislative solutions. The history of animal management in Australia suggests that better results are achieved by changing community attitude, than by simply enacting legislation. The reality is that Council will need both and neither will deliver in the absence of the other.

 

QUANTIFICATION OF THE IMPACT OF PROBLEM DOG BARKING BY SPECIALIST ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS

Mr Peter Maddern

Peter Maddern & Associates

Recent advances in noise measurement technology, and the development of software for the application, have facilitated the application of unattended acoustic measurements to problem dog barking.  It has previously been difficult to separate dog noise (and noise from the particular dog) from other similar intermittent noises in the community, and to quantify it suitably.   The approach developed utilises three independent types of (complaint position) measurements from the same instrument. These are:
Statistical parameter time traces;
Audible records of every bark (only); and
Bark shape and character recognition measurements giving bark numbers.
Together, they cross check against each other, enable correlation with complainants records, quantify the barking history, and allow the basis of the matter to be progressed on the basis of expert witness opinion. This is difficult in the legal process to oppose without a contrary expert view.