THE RSPCA's Victorian president has renewed calls for American pit bull terriers to be bred out of Australia after a vicious attack in Melbourne left a man in hospital and two dogs dead.

Dr Hugh Wirth said the dogs were a menace and not suitable as pets for anyone.
In the latest attack, police and paramedics were called to Arundel Ave in Reservoir, in Melbourne's north, where a roaming pit bull attacked a man walking his two small dogs about 7.20pm (AEDT) yesterday.

The pit bull killed one of the smaller dogs and injured the other, then clamped down on the man's hand when he tried to intervene.

The dog's jaw remained locked on the man's hand for more than 20 minutes.

The dog wasn't shot but paramedics had to use "their resources'' to put it down.

Dr Wirth said that pit bull terriers should never have been introduced on to Australian shores.

"They are time bombs waiting for the right circumstances,'' Dr Wirth said.

"The American pit bull terrier is lethal because it was a breed that was developed purely for dog fighting, in other words killing the opposition.

"They should never have been allowed into the country. They are an absolute menace.
"What that dog did to that gentleman is no surprise.

"There is no reason at all for the dog in the country.

"They are not suitable pets for anybody.''
Dr Wirth said local councils were not doing enough to enforce strict laws on pit bull terriers.

Restrictions for owners include confining the dogs to their property, ensuring the property is escape-proof, while a signpost warning of the dog's existence must be displayed outside the property.

The dog must also be desexed, with the RSPCA hopeful this will eventually wipe out the breed.

"While the dog breed is allowed to remain in the country, unless the law is strictly enforced, we are going to see more and more and more of these attacks,'' Dr Wirth said.

The latest attack comes after a toddler was scarred for life when she was attacked by a pit bull in Melbourne's west earlier this year.



http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26228646-5003402,00.html