Your Say: Micro-chipping dogs and welfare for the wealthy

01 April 2006
The Government's plans to micro-chip dogs and offer tax credits to affluent families has recieved strong feedback from Stuff readers. EXAMPLES of what they SAID. MORE>>

Dog micro-chipping - oh yeah, like this is going to stop the rabid rottweiler in the neighbourhood from attacking a child, puhlease, what the hell are the government thinking? Like the dog is going to stop and think before it attacks - 'Oh no, I can't do this, I'm micro-chipped!', duh. I think the answer is to more strictly enforce the dog control act, there appear to be far too many instances of dog control officers just not willing to do their job, too weak to enforce the dog control act to the fullest extent possible. This is one area in which I agree with the farmers. Ludicrous. Lily P Fudd

I fully agree with our government that there should be no exceptions with the micro-chipping of dogs. Just think, any dog is going to have second thoughts about attacking a child or a postie knowing he can easily be traced and put down. Well done you drones in our Beehive. John Beavin

I think most people are sick of this nanny-state government trying to tell us what we should and shouldn't do when they are just a bunch of namby-pamby politically correct junkies.Why should any dog be micro-chipped? Let alone farm dogs.Just because a few people get bitten, sad for them, but why does nobody ask the question what were they doing? Most likely teasing the dog, throwing stones at it or entering its territory (owner's home) uninvited. Money would be better spent micro-chipping the ill-disciplined children who persist in tagging fences, breaking into houses and costing those who actually pay taxes. Alastair Clarke

NZ workers could be microchipped

On the subject of microchipping...

New Zealand workers may one day be embedded with microchips if employers here follow some overseas employers, a University of Otago law professor has claimed.

..... to read in-between the lines

Some workers in North America had been embedded with a small microchip for different reasons, such as allowing particular workers access to certain work areas and also stored specific information about the worker – such as health information – which could be accessed if there was a workplace accident, he said.

The use of the microchips posed a raft of new challenges which if introduced here would need to be accommodated under both employment law and privacy law, he said.

Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little told the forum he was worried about the erosion of workers privacy and rights through the gathering of personal information and surveillance of workers by employers.

The use of video cameras in the workplace raised "fraught issues" and the union remained opposed to the use of random drug tests, he said.

"When measures are taken that diminish the foundation for trust and respect then the working relationship starts to sour and people feel affronted," Mr Little said.

Dog owner 'still shocked' over attack

A Hawke's Bay dog owner sentenced to 175 hours' community work after a savage dog attack remains shocked his pets turned would-be killers.
...
Roberts said the dogs had been left separated at his partner's house but an open window allowed one to get outside with the other. He said he felt extremely remorseful and would never make the same mistake again.

"It hasn't turned me off animals, I have some fish and they don't bite."

Isn't that sad...
...
Judge Geoff Rea told Roberts that he had put the victim and the entire community at risk.

oh, that's a bit much... a good way of pumping fear into the community..
Who's know what really happened. The dogs attacked for a reason, and I bet'cha it's related to it being unsocialised...

Despite doing everything he could after the attack he had failed to ensure his dogs were secure.
"This is a bad time to be involved with dogs that attack people," Judge Rea said.

So if his dog attacked say 5 years ago, that'd been better??

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All is forgiven after owner of vicious dogs sentenced

31.03.2006
Some of Saydee Robinson's scars are visible while others run far deeper; but she has forgiven the owner of the two dogs that mauled her and was happy with the court sentence handed down to him yesterday.
From Hawke's Bay Today

In the pawprints of history

By CHRIS TROTTER
If Federated Farmers are looking for a suitable date to stage their protest against the micro-chipping of farm dogs, they could do a lot worse than April 28. It was on that day, 108 years ago, that a large band of Northland Maori gathered to protest against the Hokianga County Council's hated "dog tax".

A lone policeman – Constable McGilp – had travelled from Rawene to Waima to enforce the tax. What he found put that idea right out of his head. The local Mahurehure people had armed themselves with rifles and were not in the least intimidated by Constable McGilp's little wooden baton. Their chief, Hone Toia, declared that the Mahurehure had not the slightest intention of paying the two shillings and sixpence per dog demanded by the council. They intended to march on the council's offices in Rawene.

Convinced that discretion was the better part of valour, Constable McGilp withdrew. Then, with considerable resourcefulness, this lone representative of the colonial government tracked down one of the very few operational telephones in the Hokianga, and ordered the immediate evacuation of all Rawene's women and children. Informed that Hone Toia's threats were growing more menacing by the minute, Constable McGilp extended the evacuation order to the entire town – and called for back-up.

It duly arrived a few days later in the form of a police inspector, five constables and a cannon. The Mahurehure were no more intimidated by this relic of the Land Wars than they had been by Constable McGilp's weaponry. Brandishing their Winchester repeating rifles, they advanced upon the policemen in a body. Once again, discretion triumphed over valour. The officers of the law, outnumbered and outgunned, jumped back on to the boat that had brought them all the way from Auckland, and fled. The cannon was left behind on the wharf.

By now, there were only two Pakeha left in Rawene – the parson and publican. Bob Cochrane, owner of the Rawene Hotel, with commendable presence of mind, pointed out to the Maori occupiers of his town that, since the last remaining representatives of the law in that part of the Hokianga were on a boat bound for Auckland, there was nothing to stop him opening the bar on a Sunday. The outraged parson thereupon decamped. Grog had triumphed over God.

The dog tax war was far from over, however. Outraged at this blatant defiance of Her Majesty's government, Prime Minister Richard Seddon ordered a mixed force of about 120 soldiers, sailors and police constables to march on Waima and crush the tax revolt by force. They were accompanied by two Nordenfeldt field guns, two Maxim machine-guns, and a government gunboat called Torch.

Riding north in hot pursuit of King Dick's punitive expedition was the Maori MP for Northern Maori, Hone Heke (grand-nephew of the Hone Heke who chopped down the flagstaff at Russell). It was a very near-run thing. Hone discovered the Mahurehure waiting in ambush for the government force at the crest of the Rawene to Waima hill road.

FIRING from cover with high-powered repeating rifles, there was every chance that the rebels would have inflicted a decisive defeat upon the Pakeha troops. Fortunately, they were persuaded by their MP to stay their hand, and the government force passed through the Mahurehure lines unmolested.

Hone Heke's intervention proved crucial in defusing the political tensions that had come within a few minutes of erupting into bloodshed. At a massive hui held over the next few days, he and a large number of Ngapuhi elders prevailed upon the Mahurehure to lay down their arms.
For his trouble, Hone Heke's parliamentary pay was docked for the days he had spent away from the House without leave. The leaders of the revolt were arrested and charged with insurrection. Sensibly, no one was hanged. Heavy fines were imposed, but quietly remitted a few months later. The dog tax, however, remained in force.

Newspaper advertisements for the anarchist political thriller, V for Vendetta, currently showing in New Zealand cinemas, boldly declare: "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people." I agree. And that is why I am as full of admiration for Federated Farmers' refusal to accept this new dog tax as I am for the Mahurehure people's resistance to the original.

Both groups offer New Zealanders a much-needed lesson in how free citizens behave.

Dogs kill sheep at Panguru

A north Hokianga sheep farmer is urging the Far North District Council to round up unregistered dogs in rural areas after two dogs not wearing collars attacked and killed 10 sheep on his farm near Panguru last week. MORE>>

so, the question is: would a microchip have stopped this attack?

Cats, dogs may lower allergy risk

Growing up with cats and dogs may reduce a child's risk of developing allergies, according to a new study.

Sydney researchers who followed more than 500 children born to families with no pet cats found those who acquired a cat in their first five years of life were less likely to test positive in allergy skin-prick tests.

The Childhood Asthma Prevention Study found the reduced risk did not depend on the child's age when a cat was acquired, nor whether the cat was kept indoors or outdoors. A reduced response to allergy tests was also found in children who grew up with dogs. The research findings, presented this week at the annual scientific meeting of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand in Canberra, appeared to contradict studies showing acquiring cats after birth increased the risk of allergies in children. MORE>>

MPs bid to thwart dog microchipping

Two MPs are leading the charge opposing microchipping working dogs. MORE>>

Shar Pei No 3 triumphant in defeat on dogs'n'chips

OPINION

It was a bit confusing at Parliament yesterday, as Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton answered questions about the planned microchipping of all dogs, because he was speaking as though from the standpoint of magnificent triumph.

The Opposition had to ask him a couple of pointed questions before it could be sure they were both on the same page. But yes, Mr Anderton had in fact lost his battle to persuade the Cabinet to exempt farm dogs from the measure, not won it.

Why, then, was he sounding so terribly pleased with himself?

READ MORE>>

Govt's ruling may lead to rural boycott

Farmers are likely to boycott compulsory microchipping of dogs. The Government announced on Monday it would not exempt farm dogs from rules that dogs first registered from July must be micro-chipped. Opponents of the rules say they will not prevent dog attacks and will probably be ignored by many people.

That's the gist of the article, but I've taken the liberty of keeping some gems which I think she live on the Net.

.....The legislation simply introduced new compliance costs with no benefits. As an advocacy body we take a very dim view of that. "It's the worst kind of legislation."

The federation has found an unlikely ally in the Kennel Club. Yesterday, president Lesley Chalmers said she was disgusted the Government would use the misfortune of Anderson to introduce the legislation. "There's only one thing that is going to stop dangerous dog attacks and that is education in schools and homes." More effective would be introducing licences for dog owners and making sure dogs were restrained on the owner's property. "We're not opposed to micro-chipping per se but we object to it being compulsory and the reasons why it's being done," she said.

....Queenstown dog trainer Gary Wulff said there was no way he would be having a microchip put in his $20,000 search and rescue-trained border collie, Jack. He had heard of an instance in Australia where the microchip had moved in the dog and had affected its heart and killed it. "I'm not about to take the risk with a dog that's so important to me and has taken so long to train. I'll go to jail instead," he said.

But New Zealand Veterinary Association president Amanda Nutting said microchipping would allow territorial authorities to euthanise dogs quickly after an attack. Hey, that's a good reason to 'chip!! But why don't you tell us the REAL reason, but it gives profits to vets... all about money!

Evidence from New South Wales, where microchipping of non-working dogs has been in place in the late 1990s, was that attacks dropped. Show ME the evidence.

She did not understand farmers' concerns over costs as it currently cost only about $45 to have a micro-chip inserted and they were only to be inserted in new dogs after July 1.
Benefits of microchipping included tracing parentage of dogs and congenital diseases.
If a lost or injured dog was found its owners could be easily identified.
Oh, and the registration 'chip doesn't??

Health risks to dogs were incredibly low, she said. That's not good enough!

Pedersen said vets were viewing the new law as a commercial opportunity, YES, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I SAID! but Nutting said it was up to territorial authorities to decide whether they would insert the chips and maintain the nationwide data base of dogs or whether vets would be responsible.

Farmers were planning protests around the country, culminating at the Mystery Creek field day in June.

What politicians said in Parliament about microchipping

Is this how they debate in the beehive (NZ's Parliament)? It's a good read...if anything

Dog Control—Microchipping, Farm Dogs

Hon DAVID CARTER (National) to the Minister of Agriculture: What action, if any, is he taking to further the cause to exempt farm dogs from microchipping?

Hon JIM ANDERTON (Minister of Agriculture): I made a commitment to the rural community that I would take the issue of the microchipping of farm dogs to Cabinet for the existing policy to be reconsidered. This I did over recent weeks, and I can inform the House that the matter was given full consideration by my Cabinet colleagues. After careful consideration of the issues, Cabinet decided on balance that successful enforcement of the policy required a consistent approach to microchipping across all communities throughout the whole of New Zealand.

Dave Hereora: What reports has the Minister seen on the enforcement of the Dog Control Act?

Hon JIM ANDERTON: I saw a report in Hansard of 13 November 2003 in which the National Party member for Port Waikato said: 'We must clamp down on irresponsible owners, and achieve universal enforcement of the law around the country.' I note that only minutes after that statement was made the National Party voted 27 votes in favour of the Dog Control Amendment Bill and none against.

Nathan Guy: How can farmers be expected to have any confidence in this Minister, when after promising to help farmers affected by the Gisborne flood he failed to do so, and after promising to deliver solutions to exempt farm working dogs he has again failed?

Hon JIM ANDERTON: If that member knows any farmers at all he will know that the vast majority of farming opinion is against subsidies for weather events unless they are of the most exceptional circumstance. Secondly, Federated Farmers and other farmers in the farming community know that they have a Minister who will not bypass their issues on the basis that they might get defeated. He will raise the issues and do his best to advance their cause. It is a long time since any Government of the National variety had a Minister like that.

R Doug Woolerton: Why does the Minister think that Federated Farmers are so opposed to dog microchipping, when it is not only the savaging of people that is trying to be protected here but also the savaging of their own stock?

Hon JIM ANDERTON: There are a wide range of views on this matter throughout the country, as I am sure the member knows. Equally, there are a wide range of views on that matter inside this Parliament and even inside Cabinet. However, I am bound by Cabinet collective responsibility on this matter and I accept, unreservedly, the view that Cabinet has taken on this matter.

Gordon Copeland: Does the Minister intend to revisit this matter, utilising the opportunity provided by the introduction of the local government law reform bill, and in particular, the opportunity to amend the Dog Control Act 1996 to exempt farm dogs from microchipping; if not, why not?

Hon JIM ANDERTON: If the member has ever participated in a Cabinet Executive Government he would know that the opportunity for a member of Cabinet to take a matter to Cabinet and relitigate an existing decision would be very rare, indeed. I had the privilege to do that and I accept the decision Cabinet has made after further consideration, which it did not need to give, but in fact, did.

Craig Foss: How can apple growers have any confidence in the Minister's ability to get New Zealand access to the Australian apple market when he has failed so miserably to achieve an exemption for farm working dogs?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Unless that member intends that there be a microchipping of apples, and to change the responsibility from the Minister of Trade to the Minister of Agriculture, that question is simply irrelevant and out of order.

Madam SPEAKER: Yes, I think it is a very long bow. It is actually a different issue, but if the member would like to reflect, and rephrase his question to bring it within the context of the primary question, which specifically relates to farm dogs, microchipping, and agriculture.

Craig Foss: Given the Minister's failure to achieve an exemption for working farm dogs, how on earth can New Zealand apple growers have any confidence in him whatsoever as we try to gain access to the Australian market?

Hon JIM ANDERTON: Within a day of requesting the High Commissioner for Australia to get a copy of the report that we had been denied for some years, that report was tabled in my office, and the Government I represent took the Australian industry and Government to the World Trade Organization to examine this issue—something that National never did in all its years of office.

Hon Damien O'Connor: Can the Minister confirm that every single apple exported from this country has to be identified by a sticker?

Madam SPEAKER: I think that falls into the category of another long bow. Stickers and microchipping do not make it.

Hon David Carter: Does the Minister still agree with the statement he made after becoming the Minister of Agriculture: 'OK, if you think you weren't taken seriously before, what is it about No. 3 in the Cabinet you don't understand?', and how come No. 3 got rolled by No. 18?

Hon JIM ANDERTON: As the member may find out one day, there are people in Cabinet whom one accepts being rolled by, and he may well find out one day who they are. However, the situation with this Cabinet is that there is a consensus position drawn by Cabinet after full debate and discussion. That was the situation this time. I think the member will find that Federated Farmers know full well that they have a Minister who will take up issues for them, and who will do the very best in their interests to see that they are taken seriously.

Hon David Carter: Does the Minister also stand by his statement last November: 'I got these portfolios because of my ability to bring people together to work on solutions.', and how successful was he in getting his Cabinet colleagues to accept his pragmatic solutions?

Hon JIM ANDERTON: Innumerable numbers of pragmatic advancements have been made by this Cabinet for all Cabinet Ministers in the positions they take to Parliament. However, I have noted that I am acknowledged by the member who has just asked the question to be Labour's No. 3 ranked Minister. I have to tell him that it may come as a shock to him that I have not been a member of the Labour Party since May 1989.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Has the Minister any reports contrasting the present action in respect of the World Trade Organization application concerning the access of Australian apples with that of 1997-98 when the then National Government did its best to derail that industry and sell it off, lock, stock, and barrel, to Fay Richwhite?

Madam SPEAKER: I thank the member, but we are on farm dogs and microchipping, so could we please bring it back.

Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson.
I think that perhaps it is appropriate for the House to grant leave in this case, since we are on dogs, to get a question from the poodle.

Madam SPEAKER: The member knows that that is not a point of order.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. If the initial question with respect to the linkage of the apple industry was allowed—

Madam SPEAKER: It was not allowed.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: No, no it was allowed. I will check the Hansard. But I am just saying, if that is the precedent, then surely my question is in order.

Madam SPEAKER: No, I am sorry. Would the member be seated. He can check the Hansard. The question relating to apples was put directly but questions must relate to the primary question. When the question was re-put it did relate to the primary question. Now I will offer the member the same opportunity if he wishes to rephrase his question, but the subject has to come back to the primary question, which is about exempting farm dogs, microchipping, and actions taken by the Minister of Agriculture.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I understand your ruling. But this point of order is in relation to the comment made by one Gerry Brownlee. If he thinks he is going to add that sort of comment to points of order, then he will get it back with doses of interest. I am asking that he be asked to withdraw and apologise.

Madam SPEAKER: Since the member has taken offence I will ask the member to withdraw and apologise. But I will state this first. The member is correct to this extent: if we have points of order that are not points of order, but do have inferences in them, then the member is right, there will be a response and there will be disorder in this House. I ask members to please refrain and to control their wit until they get outside, but to please keep their points of order to points of order that relate to Standing Orders. Now I invite the member to please withdraw and apologise.

Gerry Brownlee: I withdraw and apologise.

Hon David Carter: In light of the Minister's previous answer
to my supplementary question, is the Minister going to change his party's website and slogan: 'What Jim says, Jim does.', in light of being rolled in Cabinet yesterday?

Hon JIM ANDERTON: What I said and what Jim said was that he was going to take the issue that the farmers raised to Cabinet for consideration. I also said—and the member can check with the president of Federated Farmers—that there was no guarantee of the outcome. I did exactly what I said, and I am sure the member will find that Federated Farmers has no problem about the issue of dealing with me, and the veracity of what I said to them.

Microchip legislation 'ridiculous'

29 March 2006
Mount Linton Station stock manager Kevin O'Connor is taking a stand and refusing to microchip his team of 18 farm dogs under what he calls money-making legislation. more>>

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Dog law 'a kick in the guts'

A campaign of civil disobedience is set to follow the Government's decision to microchip all dogs born after July 1. Farmers and district councils oppose the move and while farmers are saying they will not comply, the Waimate District Council is still deciding whether to enforce the law.

South Canterbury Federated Farmers meat and fibre chairman Alistair Young said the Government's decision not to exclude working farm dogs was a kick in the guts for farmers and showed the Government had ignored the sector.

"My gut reaction is that farmers will refuse to microchip their dogs. Talking to a number of farmers this morning they are saying the same thing." more>>
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Bid for vote on farm dogs
A vote may be forced in Parliament on whether working farm dogs should be microchipped.
United Future MP Gordon Copeland has proposed an amendment to an omnibus bill, expected to be introduced next week, that contains changes to the Dog Control Act.

Mr Copeland believes he could get the numbers to pass his amendment to exempt farm dogs from the microchipping rules, which come into force in July.

He said he believed National and ACT would support it, and there was "a possibility" NZ First and the Maori Party would as well. more>>

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Editorial: A dumb law

Labour has cast aside farmers' concerns and says microchipping of all dogs will become law on July 1. Perhaps it is a show of strength at a time of instability. Perhaps it is a legitimate concern the law has to be consistent to all. Whatever it is, it misses the point entirely.

The microchipping law, AS A WHOLE, is dumb. If anything it will make the dangerous dog problem worse, not better. more>>

Dog finds burglars hiding

Pounding the beat certainly paid off for police on Monday night when two men were caught stealing chemicals from a Gore business.

Sergeant Craig Sinclair, of Gore, said two policemen had been patrolling the central business area when they discovered the offenders in Advance Agriculture, in Mersey St.
The burglars had loaded a large quantity of chemicals and other goods on to a small utility truck parked outside.

They hid in the vicinity when they realised they had been discovered but were located by a police dog and handler called up from Invercargill, Mr Sinclair said.
Two Gore men, aged 20 and 21 years, have been charged with the burglary.

Woman wants homeless hounds

Cassie Miles is desperate to save New Plymouth's unloved dogs from death – and is urging the council to let her rehome the animals at reduced cost.

She has started Uruti Dog Rescue, a non-profit organisation with the aim of rescuing dogs from the New Plymouth dog pound before they are put down.

The pound has a policy of holding on to dogs for seven days. If they are not claimed by their owners or rehomed, they can be put down after that.

According to figures released by the New Plymouth District Council earlier this month, in the 2004-2005 year, 846 dogs were impounded. Only 565, or 66.8 per cent, were returned to their owners or rehomed while the other 281 were put down.
MORE>>

Farmers snubbed over dog microchips

Farmers snubbed over dog microchips

go farmers go!

The Government has snubbed farmers and their lobbyists by refusing to exempt farm dogs from rules that dogs first registered from July must be microchipped.

Prime Minister Helen Clark told a press conference yesterday that Cabinet would not be changing the law, which it authorised yesterday.

and when I raised THIS as a political issue during the elections, I was SNUBBED... Hey Mike (Yardley) where are you now on this issues?!?

The law would be what the Associate Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta, told parliament a couple of weeks ago, said Ms Clark: "One law for all dogs – it's very hard to make exceptions for some".

Sounds like the drug laws... but they get flicked off everyday! I guess there just isn't the corrupt moeny in microchips, hey?

Ms Mahuta said the success of a nationwide system for electronic dog identification relied on as many dogs as possible having a tiny microchip inserted under their skin.

If it weren't so damn expensive, I wouldn't mind so much. The thing cost $15 and vets will charge $40 and some up to $75 ... but they say, you'll get a FREE health check! Opdi doo! The last dog health check we got, the vet missed a growth which might have been cancerous! We went to another vet of course.. but who's to say the FREE health check, means THOROUGH??

But at the same time, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton – who holds a more senior ranking in Cabinet – told farmers he was prepared to have it look at the issue again.

Ms Clark said yesterday he had honoured that commitment in cabinet.

Oh, that's soooo nice mr anderton... what a good minister... holding up his promise... what to get elected again?

"He honoured that to the letter," she said. "It was raised again and discussed but the Cabinet wasn't of the mind to attempt to amend legislation which is coming into effect in three months time."

Read the rest of the article for more interesting bits!
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Farmers plan action against microchipping
28 March 2006

Furious farmers are planning action against the Government's plan to micro-chip all dogs – including farm dogs.

Reacting to Helen Clark's statement yesterday that farms dogs would not be exempt from the new rules, Taranaki Federated Farmers president Bryan Hocken said the Prime Ministere would have "a battle ahead of her".

"She needs to watch this space," the Tarata, Inglewood, farmer said.

Oh, i love a good fight..

Mr Hocken said he would be telling other farmers not to comply with the law.
"We're not going to register our dogs. She hasn't got enough jails to put us in, she hasn't got enough police to take us all away and who is going to run the farms while we're put away?" he told the Taranaki Daily News

Ms Clark told a press conference yesterday that the law would mean "one law for all dogs. It's very hard to make exceptions for some".

National Federated Farmers president Charlie Pedersen said Miss Clark had blown a golden opportunity to reach out to rural communities".

"Saying `one law for all dogs' does not impress farmers," Mr Pedersen said. "It is as vacuous as saying `one tax for all New Zealanders' or `one sentence for all criminals'.

"It is a shame that the Government chooses to use spin rather than sound analysis."
Mr Hocken, who owns 12 farm dogs, said he would lead Taranaki farmers in a protest to Parliament with their dogs.

"There will be a protest," he promised. "We've got to win this case. If we need to go to Wellington, we'll go to Wellington."

Story here

Hammer attack leaves police dog stitched up

Police dog handler Derek Orchard's voice shook as he described a vicious attack on his dog Ben.

"He was bleeding profusely," Constable Orchard said. "He'd stopped barking."

The two were last night recovering at home in Tauranga after an alleged attack by a man with a claw hammer in Matamata about 5am. MORE>>

Mastiff show one for the dogs

Dozens of dogs and their doting owners were proudly on display last Sunday as part of a mastiff breeds' show at Motumaoho. The regular get-together at the property of Dion and Jenni D'Anvers attracted a strong turnout of the distinctive dogs.

Mr D'Anvers said dogs and their owners came from as far as Northland and Manawatu for the event, held at either end of summer for heat issues.

Prizes were awarded for best in three categories (neapolitan, douge de Bordeaux and bull mastiff) as well as fun sections such as best slobber and owner lookalike.

The year of the dog war

Gordon Levet, with worn hands and weathered face, climbs on to his quad bike like a young fella, knife sheathed to his belt.

"Really, I think if they don't accommodate farmers on this one they're likely to regret it," the 73-year-old says matter of factly, and roars off down the gravel driveway to the woolshed on his Wellsford farm.

"They" are the Government and they are buying another fight with farmers. For the life of them, farmers do not see how getting their working dogs microchipped is going to make the rest of New Zealand safe from attacks.

Farmers are so hopping mad at yet another "illogical" levy imposed from Wellington some are suggesting a campaign of civil disobedience by refusing to comply. MORE>>

'Bitten by the bug'

You could say Mike and Mary Bradley, of Otatara, are dog-lovers.

But the Bradleys don't just own german shepherds. They breed, train, judge, show the dogs, as well as donating trained puppies regularly to the New Zealand Police, the Blind Foundation and the national search and Rescue Institute.

This weekend the Bradleys are looking forward to seeing more fans of the dogs at the Southland German Shepherd Dog Club's annual show.

The event at the rugby league grounds in Otatara will be held in conjunction with the Southland Dog Training Club, which will be running obedience and agility classes.

About 80 dogs, nationwide, will be at the show, including dogs from Auckland, which successfully competed in show classes in Australia recently. MORE>>

Noah's animals not wanted within city limits

The animals can go in two by two in Manukau City, so long as you don't have more than 24 and none of them is a medium or large-sized mammal.

A new bylaw the Manukau City Council wants to bring in will control the number and type of pets its residents may own.

Under the bylaw, urbanites wanting a little bit of country in their backyards would be out of luck. Pet lambs, calves, horses, ponies, llamas, deer, donkeys, pigs and goats are now prohibited.

Cat lovers may have up to four, while residents can have up to six rabbits or ferrets. Alternatively, you can own a dozen of most types of birds, although large parrots are restricted to six per property.

Under the council's dogs policy a licence is needed to keep three or more dogs in an urban area.

Environment and Urban Design committee chairman Noel Burnside said the change would tidy up a historic bylaw about the number of animals people were allowed to keep in their backyards, and was intended to ensure pets did not create a nuisance or damage property.

...* The proposed bylaw will be available for public consultation from mid-April.

MORE>>

Dog owners dodging bylaw

I just want to say at this time that Blogger has really pissed me off. I have commented on this article, and Blogger 'dropped' it... Arghhh!! I will comment again when I have more time ...

The Nelson City Council may have to back off from its tough stance on menacing dogs because a compulsory neutering requirement is driving them underground.
The council decreed two years ago that all menacing dogs in Nelson had to be neutered by the end of last year.
But Environmental Inspections manager Stephen Lawrence told the council's environment committee on Tuesday the rule was causing problems. Dog owners were not registering their animals in an attempt to avoid neutering them, he said.
The Government's Dog Control Act automatically classifies American pitbulls, dogo argentinos, Brazilian filas and Japanese tosas as menacing. The council can classify other dogs as menacing if they have exhibited behaviour that could pose a threat to people, stock or other animals.
In August last year, there were 51 registered menacing dogs in Nelson.
Mr Lawrence has suggested that the council review the neutering requirement in its dog control bylaw.
Neither the Tasman District Council nor the Marlborough District Council require menacing dogs to be neutered.
Speaking outside the meeting, Mr Lawrence said the number of registered menacing dogs had changed little since last year, but owners seemed unwilling to register dogs for the first time.
"Anecdotally ... the reluctance to have their dogs neutered is quite strong."
Dog lovers were critical of the requirement when it was imposed, saying it failed to address owner responsibility, which they said was the crux of dog control problems.
Other dog control measures seem to have been effective, however, with Mr Lawrence telling the meeting that figures during the past six months showed a 20 to 30 percent drop in complaints about aggressive dogs and dog attacks, and about a 20 percent drop in the number of dogs impounded.
New measures soon to be imposed, such as a national dog database and microchipping of dogs, have driven the cost of dog registration up, with the committee yesterday agreeing to a $5 increase in fees for most dogs.
Owners of dangerous dogs face a $7.50 hike, and a new $30 charge has been added for putting microchips in dogs that have been impounded.

Dog submission against Police before RDC

Continuous barking police dogs which muffled the conversation of guests at a nearby backpackers unit are scheduled to be the subject of a submission to the Rotorua District Council on March 31.

In his submission, Neil Macdonald, a partner in Rotorua Central Backpackers, said while the police had made an attempt to ease the problem, the noise level of the dogs had reached an unacceptable level.

To underscore his complaint, Mr Macdonald plans to produce a DVD as examples of barking his guests had had to endure over recent years.

Mr Macdonald, whose Pukuatua Street premises look towards the police compound where the dogs are kennelled, said backpackers were like all tourists - "they like to relax and have uninterrupted sleep, and that includes sleeping-in in the morning".

He was concerned at the effects on his business. "Over the years, we have had to put up with noise from the dogs," Mr Macdonald said in his submission. "There has been some attempt by the police to alleviate the noise problem (by) sound proofing the dog house' and moving off the on-duty dog overnight.
MORE>>

Tornado also left animals homeless

When a tornado took the roof off a historic Downlands Homestead near Waimate two weeks ago it was not just a family of five who were made homeless– 15 dogs, seven cats, one rabbit and two goats lost their home as well.

The Fahey family residing at the 23-room home on Waihao Back Road, was the base for dog-breeder Denise Fahey who breeds wire-haired and miniature dachshunds.
"Amazingly all the animals survived, everything was crashed down around them but they were okay."

When the family moved to a motel while looking for a new place to lease, the dogs had to be kept at the pound.

"Luckily the pound was empty. Since the tornado we have had one litter of miniature dachshunds and we are expecting another two litters."

The family had just found another place to rent and would be moving this week, taking their line-up of animals with them. MORE>>

Cruz in control in fiery routine

Police dog Cruz is proof you can teach an old dog new tricks.

While the term "old" may be a bit of a stretch for the 4-year-old german shepherd, his handler Constable Mike Hore, of Invercargill, has added jumping through a flaming hoop to Cruz's repertoire of skills.

Mr Hore and Cruz have been perfecting the routine ahead of representing Southland in the New Zealand Police dog team at a display in Wellington next month.

The Invercargill duo will showcase their skill in two displays at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Wellington on April 1.

Ten police dogs from throughout New Zealand will take part in the display. MORE>>

Today could be highlight of sheep dog trial week

The Gore Sheep Dog Trial Club whistles up 100 years of trialling this week with its centennial event at Stoney Creek Station.

Top prize money and competition have drawn trialists from near and far.

President Trevor Roughan said yesterday while the number of entries was not known until the day of competition, indications from Thursday's events were they would exceed previous years.

The $1000 prize pot for each of the five events was undoubtedly a drawcard. Competitors were trying to pick up points to qualify for the New Zealand dog trial championships, in Omarama in June, he said.

The distinction of being the oldest competitor went to Mr Roughan's father and club life member Les.

For 66 years Mr Roughan, of Mandeville, has been pitting himself and his dogs against the wily sheep.

MORE>>

Farm-dog proposal

17 March 2006

Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton is taking a proposal to the Cabinet next week to exclude farm dogs from microchipping laws.
(...)

Anderton's spokesman yesterday confirmed that the minister would take the proposal to have farm dogs excluded from the Dog Control Act to the Cabinet on Monday. MORE>>

Dog owner: armed and dangerous

16 March 2006 By LINLEY BONIFACE

After 40 years of dull suburban respectability, I am delighted to discover I have joined a dangerous minority. Without the trouble and expense of buying drugs, taking up smoking or having "Mongrel Mob" tattooed on my cheek, I have become a social outcast simply by getting a puppy.

And you felt like an outcast especially after the attack of the media spectacle of the auckland girl. We were yelled at when we walked our dog! Man, some vicious people out there...

When I walk the dog, householders who previously were happily gardening or collecting the mail suddenly freeze, clutching their trowels or Warehouse flyers in a white-knuckled hand, and stare accusingly at my dog's bottom. I always have a plastic bag visibly extending from the pocket of my jeans –- which I understand is a sign of being available for gay sex in some countries –- but it doesn't mollify them.

Hopefully they don't want ... (oh, I was having funny thoughts but I'll keep them as my "inside thoughts" as Bush described them)...

They are not to know my dog is above crapping in cold hard soil and prefers to save herself for the shagpile in our lounge.

My dog prefers (and was trained, so it's not a matter of preference) to crap in the bush... he parks his bum and lets it go out of the public view.

The reaction from other walkers can be so extreme I've found myself looking down to check I have not inadvertently attached a jaguar instead of a dog to my lead.

Perhpas you have the cutest puppy around...

Mothers have clutched their children in fright as we stroll past; power walkers have pressed themselves flat against hedges in case the dog suddenly sinks her teeth into their water bottles.

Ya, I know what you mean... I get that all the time...

Once, at a bush reserve, a man shouted: "Don't let it attack the ducklings!". As the dog was on a lead and sitting companionably next to me on a park bench at the time, sharing a tomato sandwich, this seemed unlikely.

Ya should have yelled back "Would you prefer it to attack you instead?" but of course, that just gives dog owners a bad name. Why is it that total strangers tell you what they think of your dog, but when you see a kid displaying totally unacceptable behaviour, we keep quiet?

I should point out my dog is small, fluffy and resembles a sofa cushion. Admittedly, dogs of any size can be aggressive, but my dog is ridiculously friendly –- to her, life is one long cocktail party. The four-year-old boy who often accompanies us on our walks, however, bites people all the time.

Yup... the discrepancies of life and of people's arguments.

It's of an understatement to say dogs have a bad press.

How come dogs are allowed on buses, trains, and even in restaurants in France and nobody is giving them a hard time?? Surely they don't all have guide dogs (smile)!

The frequency we hear of attacks is partly because some dogs do bite people, and partly because dog bite stories are an easy, sensational space-filler for media organisations increasingly short of resources to research more complex subjects.

yes, yes, and another yes

It should not surprise anyone that there are a lot of foolish people out there. Some drive their cars recklessly. Some get drunk and start fights. Some don't control their dogs. We don't suggest all drivers are dangerous, just because some are; we don't suggest all people who drink are violent, just because some are. But there is a strong implication now that all dog owners are irresponsible simply for having a dog and that all dogs are accidents waiting to happen.

Agree!

Local councils bang on about dog control, but do little to support responsible ownership. Dog fees are often more than $100 –- yet little of it seems to be spent on measures that might help dog owners stick to the rules. My nearest off-leash dog exercise area is remote, poorly signposted, unlit and, despite being a 10-minute walk from the road, contains not a single poo bin. Dogs owners are banned from most of the places they might want to walk their pets, such as beaches, because it's easier for councils to assume every owner is potentially guilty rather than targeting those who actually do something wrong.

If dogs are banned almost everywhere, do you wonder why we have so many dog attacks (purportedly)?

Short leads and high fences are the problem... and environmental conditions like a lack of a dog park near where you live is another.

Did you know that it goes against council's ruling?

It states in the dog control act that you must provide your dog with adequate food, shelter and EXERCISE. The council must recognise that some dog breeds required A LOT of exercise, and therefore they need to run, and run, and run. If a dog park isn't available and suitable (not much chance for a 30 minutes run in there), then it is reasonable to expect that a dog will run on the beach... legally! Of course, in a controlled fashion (cough)

This is my first dog and my knowledge of dogs came mainly from the TV programmes of my childhood, on which dogs were constantly rescuing people from ravines.

Then you need to read some awsome stuff on doglinks.co.nz

I rarely find myself down ravines, but there are plenty of other situations a dog could rescue me from –- when I'm trapped at a party by a bore attempting to tell me about his software package, for example, or when I am minutes away from a deadline and nothing has been written. However, in these matters my dog has been useless.

I bet'cha he's been useful in de-stressing you when you do have that last minute deadline... he's probably saved your sanity a few times!

Similarly, I'm unconvinced by tales of canine intelligence - after decades of admiring the labyrinthine slyness of cats, I've been stunned by the uncomplicated stupidity of dogs.

You have the wrong breed!

But while dogs are dumb, they're also furry beacons of pure love. My dog doesn't cramp my style - although this is possibly because I have no style to cramp - and I feel extraordinarily lucky to to forge a reciprocated emotional connection with a member of another species. Despite society's condemnation, I will carry my poo bag with pride. And so you should?!

Linley Boniface is a Wellington-based freelance writer.

Thanks Linley for a well written piece on Dog. We need to read good life stories about our best friend.

Pet-loving baker rises to the occasion

and now for some good news!!

Helping animals is as easy as eating bread, thanks to a dog-loving Howick baker.

Peter Oostendorp is supporting the SPCA through a loyalty card promotion at his Howick and Botany bakeries. Customers at his two Bakers Delight stores can collect stamps towards a donation to the society, instead of a free loaf.

(...)

The money will go towards a new education centre to be built at the Mangere animal village later this year. SPCA special projects coordinator Gerry Harrison says the centre will be used to teach children about animal welfare.

Now why doesn't the government contribute to this whole heartedly, or the council?
This is what my dog registration should be going to!! but in Chch (smile)

What next? One dog, one vote?

What next? One dog, one vote?

Why not? they paid their taxes too!

With civil disobedience and even local body resistance in the wind, National's rural MPs came to Parliament determined to shame the Government into a U-turn over its plan to make farmers microchip their dogs.

See how dogs DO matter!

Besides the money this will cost farmers, the MPs believe that noble, backbone-of-the-country working dogs ought not to be subjected to the same degrading indignity as idle, non-contributing dogs.

Wow!! "idle, non-contributing dogs. " !! Hell, someone didn't read the health news that said that pet owners were LESS likely to have health problems because of their DOGS! Dog owners walk more, have a live cush-ball to relieve their stress, have less mental problems... (except when they get issued stupid fines)

Site reference: Less Stress
Pet Dog Reduces Stress of Caring for Brain-Injured (clickable link)
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The latest findings on the ability of pet dogs to reduce cardiovascular stress in persons living high-stress lives -- in this case those caring for brain-injured spouses -- shows that dog owners experienced one-fifth the rise in blood pressure during stressful, care-giving activities compared to those without dogs.

How Owning a Dog or Cat Can Reduce Stress (clickable link)
Research shows that, unless you’re someone who really dislikes animals or is absolutely too busy to care for one properly, pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and other health benefits—perhaps more than people!

They little expected that Associate Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta would make the issue into one of dogs' lib.

After going through the usual spiel about how important the measure was for dog control, and how only "total compliance" would ensure success, and how vets and the SPCA supported an all-dog rule, she finally declared, in quaveringly fervent tones, "We want one law for all dogs! One Law . . . For All Dogs," she repeated portentously, inserting dramatic pauses.

So what wrong with ALL DOGS will NOT have any MICROCHIP inserted in them. That's ONE LAW for ALL dogs!!

For the normally undemonstrative, modest Ms Mahuta, this was stirring stuff. There was some applause, and Opposition MPs couldn't help looking a little taken with the concept, which after all, was pure National policy heartland: one law for all New Zealanders, regardless of race, creed, belief, wealth or ability. Why not also one law for all dogs, regardless of breed, herding ability, newspaper fetching prowess, slobbering tendencies, slipper-chewing record, appearances in toilet paper ads, or even for cuteness? And no exceptions, even for the border collies' and huntaways' contributions to gdp.

In vain did the Nats point out that some local councils were so appalled at the all-dogs policy that they had vowed not to enforce it.

Even Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton, who has been quoted as having some sympathy for the farmers, made fun of this. He admitted that, for instance, Tararua District Council had threatened not to enforce the law, believing the Government wouldn't notice if it didn't comply. "Then in order to make sure we wouldn't notice, they said this in the local newspaper!"

Oh Mr Anderton... you're sooo witty!!

"One Law . . . For All Dogs!" reaffirmed Ms Mahuta, rather in the way that Maori sometimes express solidarity by saying "kia ora".

National's Nathan Guy asked what reports she had seen about the financial impacts of "microchipping across rural New Zealand".

Where are the financial reports for the impact of arresting those poor sods who dont comply with the law... ANY law!

This struck Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen as carrying rather an extravagant assumption about the Government's intentions. "Can the minister confirm that, despite that last question, the Government has no intention of microchipping farmers?" he asked.

So despite National's efforts, the sentimental old idea of humans' close relationship with dogs must be amended to: Man's best barcode-readable friend.

We can't even count on politicians to having it right!!

Dog attack victim grateful

The victim of Kaikohe's most recent dog attack says she owes her life to a group of teenagers who ran to her assistance after they heard her screams several streets away.

(...) Last week, Sue said she was locked in a struggle with the dog and getting weaker by the minute when the seven teenagers found her. "If they hadn't arrived when they did, I would be pushing up daisies with that dog now."
Sue said two girls sat on the dog while a third member of the group phoned the police on a cellphone. Two boys in the group helped her to walk to her house. READ MORE
____________
Then she said:" Sue said the experience hadn't made her fearful of her own dogs, a pit-bull-Staffordshire terrier cross and a boxer-Staffordshire terrier cross, but she would think twice about walking to work in future. "

Sad when you have to think twice before walking to work.
Sad when you feel you have to bring something with you when you walk in case you get attacked.
Sad when you fear a wandering dog and cross the road.

Now you see why some vision-impaired people don't walk much around. It's scary when you don't know if that dog is barking from inside their property or outside.

Another cat falls victim to a killer dog

Some dogs appear to have declared war on cats in Invercargill with the latest victim attacked and killed yesterday.

Invercargill City Council environmental health principal officer Tony Dowson said several complaints about wandering dogs attacking cats had been taken in the past few days.
It was unclear if it was just an anomaly or the start of a trend. (Hell, if you saw the picture of the little girl, you'd be swept away too... )
_______________________________

From another news source outside of NZ

Owner of Dead Cat has DNA Test done to Implicate Dog
Marylin Christian found her beloved cat Cody dead under a tree in front of her home. She suspected that Lucky, a neighbor's German shepherd mix dog, was responsible for her cat's death, but couldn't get the authorities to act.

She became frustrated that officials couldn't prove that Lucky was the culprit, so she turned to DNA evidence. Christian hired a lab to analyze the dog's DNA and proved that it killed her cat. But police still won't do anything without a witness.

Even armed with DNA proof, authorities wouldn't grant her request of having the dog declared dangerous. But about 10 days after the cat died, Lucky was caught running loose and owner Sean Daryabeygi was fined $116.

See that amount !! $116 for a wandering dog in the States. Why is it $300 in NZ?

Mahuta, Anderton at odds over microchippingTuesday

Release: New Zealand National Party Hon David Carter MP National Party Agriculture Spokesman

14 March 2006
Mahuta, Anderton at odds over microchipping

Microchipping of farm working dogs will proceed on 1 July if Associate Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is to be believed, says National Agriculture spokesman David Carter.
In the House today, Nanaia Mahuta, who is responsible for dog microchipping, dismissed any suggestions of an exemption for farm working dogs.

"This is in contrast to rumours circulating in rural New Zealand that Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton is working closely with farming organisations to find a face saving solution to the ridiculous legislation," says Mr Carter.

"Nanaia Mahuta was typically dismissive of farmers concerns to this law by claiming in the House the cost will be 'miniscule'.

"Farmers already face declining incomes, and yet are saddled with huge Government-imposed costs, for little or no purpose.

"In an extreme act of arrogance, Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen attempted in the House to dismiss genuine farmer concerns by having Nanaia Mahuta confirm the Government will not be microchipping farmers.

"That's how much farmers are valued by this Labour Government."
ENDS

Council pooch patrol reports in

14 March 2006
An average of 16 dogs a week are sent to the pound in the New Plymouth district.

If all dog owners got their dogs out, that would be ... what? ... $300(fine) + $50(cost or something) x 16 (dogs) =$5 600 a week.

The vast majority of complaints to dog control are for pooches on the prowl – wandering the streets when they should not be. (on the prowl?? is this meaning 'wanting to kill'? destroy? .. what a choice of words! Sounds like teenagers... )

The picture featured here is a device for dogs. It's a mobile phone for dogs! Perhaps council would help fund these gadgets!

From their website (which I don't make any money)"The PetsCellTM - the first voice enabled waterproof GPS cell phone optimized for animals, will be available for distribution early in 2006. Measuring approximately 5 cm’s wide, 2.5 cm’s thick and 9.4 cm’s long, the PetsCellTM sets the standard for GPS tacking devices for pets. " from PetsMobility


Barking canines also attract a decent chunk of the public's grumbles.
What the difference between grumbling and barking? ya ya semantics... why not..it's my blog, I can tear it out as I like (smile).
The Pet Walking business and the doggie day care centers should be tax deductible just like Day Care is deductible... Ask any dog owner and they would probably use doggie day care centres if it were tax deductible. Now this is a good subject for the next election. Any takers?

The New Plymouth District Council has released, for the first time, a report on its dog control policy and practices in the district – although the information is almost a year old, covering the financial year from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005.

It's about time that the consumer finds these things out!

Because of recent amendments to the Dog Control Act, local councils are required to publicly report on their dog control practices.

What? didn't they before? Who were they accountable to?

In the 2004-2005 year, 846 dogs were impounded. Only 565, or 66.8%, were returned to their owners.

If an average of 16 dogs a week got impoiunded, and a average of 10 got let out, that means ($350x 10 dogs) the council makes around $3 500 a week on wandering dogs, who for the most part don't cause trouble. Of course, the litter of rubbish bags, and perhpas for some people the fear of a dog wondering (made worse by the media's scare mongering of 'wandering dogs'), and other things, but... $ 3 500... that's profit minus dog officer cost plus dog registration cost..

Dogs are business...

NPDC enforcement manager Lloyd Crow said that if a dog was taken to the pound and was wearing an identity tag, its owner would be contacted and asked to pick up the animal within seven days. (and to pay all the extras too...)

"Dogs not wearing a tag will be held for a minimum period of seven days awaiting possible inquiry from the owners, or thereafter re-homing of the dog can be considered," he said.

minus the cost of re-homing... but then an extra dog registration fee...

Almost 8000 dogs were registered during that year, with dog control officers receiving 2435 complaints – 1066 for wandering dogs, 647 for barking and 172 for aggressive behaviour.
Dogs attacking people prompted 54 complaints, while there were 29 objections to dogs attacking cats, 52 for dogs attacking other dogs and 29 for dogs attacking livestock.

Other complaints included nine for dogs ripping open rubbish bags, 37 for failure to remove faeces, and 48 for roaming and fouling.

There were 471 infringement notices sent to dog owners and one prosecution undertaken.

So how much did council MAKE in dollar terms? That's what I'd like to know!

A dog's life gets a lot better Labrador has wedding role as bridesmaid

After a 14 year engagement a Tuatapere couple finally tied the knot when the bride found her perfect dress and their dog Zara acted as chief bridesmaid.

Lucky dog!

HOT DIGGETY-DOG

HOT-DIGGETY-DOG: Five-year-old Louis, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel owned by Jacqui Halliday, tests out the new water feature at Wellington's Waitangi Park.

Jakichan is glad to be home

A dog went bush on the Shore for 12 days before finding his way home.

(aren't you glad he came home on his own, otherwise the dog catcher would have fined you at least $300 for the exercise!)

Ken Clark's dog Jakichan went missing in Kauri Park bush on February 4 while Mr Clark was taking him and his mother's dog for a walk.

"Every weekend I take the dogs down to the bush and the beach. On this day he went into the bush and he didn't come out for 10 to 15 minutes.

"I started to get a bit worried so I packed up the gear and went looking for him but I just couldn't find him." MORE>>

Yapping police dogs subject of hearing

The Rotorua District Council deferred a hearing at the 11th hour last week involving a dispute with Rotorua Police and Rotorua Central Backpackers over barking police dogs.

While indications are the matter has been settled amicably, a new date has been set for the hearing as the process had been set in place for the dispute to be heard.

The complaint centres on the police Alsatians in kennels at night in the police grounds in Pukuatua Street. Excessive barking had been the subject of complaints to the Rotorua Police over some time, and it is understod little heed was taken.

The complaint centres the hounds barking throughout the night, disrupting overnight stayers at the lodgings in Pukuatua Street which faces the police compound area where the dogs are kept.
MORE>>

Five-year ban for owner of biting dog

A Kapiti resident has been banned from owning a dog for five years as the council's "get tough on bad owners" policy starts to bite.

The owner of a German shepherd cross that attacked a man has been declared a disqualified dog owner.

The dog bit a man in the Coastlands car park in November and had been involved in two previous attacks on people, animal control manager Don Wolff said. The owner had received several infringement notices for breaches of the Dog Control Act. It is the first time a ban had been used on the Kapiti Coast.

"The dog had been declared menacing, which meant it had to wear a muzzle to prevent biting someone in a public place," Mr Wolff said. "In the latest attack, the victim received bites and scratches to an arm, clothing was torn and subsequent medical treatment was required. We had worked with the dog owner and their family to educate them on the requirements that come with dog ownership, but the messages just did not seem to be taken on board." MORE>>

Woman in hospital after another Kaikohe dog attack

The third dog attack on a person in Kaikohe in three weeks has one resident wondering how long it will be before a dog kills or seriously injures someone in the town.

Harold Avenue resident Sue Harris sustained a fractured wrist and bites to her arms and legs after a pitbull-type dog attacked her near the corner of Harold Avenue and Bisset Road while she walked to work on Saturday morning. She was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Harold Avenue resident Cynthia Moran, who assisted Ms Harris after she heard her screams, urged the Far North District Council to do more to address the problem of dangerous dogs wandering Kaikohe streets.

"The council's telling us to do our 10,000 steps, but the streets aren't safe to walk in," Mrs Moran said. MORE>>

Top hunt runs at Mangakahia trials

Good entries once again for the Mangakahia sheepdog trials held at Twin Bridges with a particularly large number of runs on the Friday but relatively easy on the Saturday.

The big hill sorted out the long head run-out with the fitter dogs handling it okay but those that were not naturally fit struggling to cope.
Only one full pointed run-out and this was Murray Child's King even though he failed to finish in the placings.
Brian Robinson with Glen from Omana put together a tidy 96.5 score to head the final placings. Tony Hargreaves' Wilbur had a drift to the right near the bottom of the course and it was enough to cost them a win. Great to see Ian McKinnon place on this course.
MORE>>

Dogs bite census staff

Maybe a new question for the next census in five years time could be: Why didn't you tie up your dog?

Or another question: do you have a pet? and what kind? It's time for dogs to be counted, however not in the following story's way.

Three census form deliverers in Kapiti have been bitten by dogs, with one needing hospital care for blood poisoning.

Horowhenua-Manawatu census area manager Grant Burnett said while some dog incidents were expected throughout the region from Paremata bridge to Bulls, it was unusual that all three took place in the Kapiti district.

Very unresponsible dog owners... that is such a shame that owners who knows that their dogs are aggressive should put their dog away. Not better still, how about of dog walking, dog socialising, general dog care!

A man delivering a census form to a Waikanae address was bitten on the arm by a ridgeback-mastiff cross and was hospitalised after developing blood poisoning. He is believed to have been released from hospital this week.

A woman was "quite badly" bitten on both legs by a Labrador in Paraparaumu, and another census collector received minor bites on her elbow at a Raumati South address.

Can everyone LOOK at the breeds of dogs here? any pitbulls... doh! Labrador, ridgeback

Mr Burnett said he was very concerned about the dog bites.

"We have contacted the police and Kapiti dog ranger and requested that the offending dogs be destroyed."

Kapiti dog ranger Don Wolff said the reported dog bites were being investigated and charges would be laid.

"We will be checking to make sure dog owners adhere to common law, which states quite clearly that every home has to have a dog-free access."

DOGS and CENSUSes

While most New Zealanders filled in their census forms on Tuesday, members of the Libertarianz political party burnt them in a public protest.

Libertarianz leader Bernard Darnton said about 15 party members and up to 20 others gathered in Wellington's Botanic Gardens and "incinerated" their forms with the help of a fire-breather.

In the Far North, a barbecue was held with "both sausages and census forms" being put on the grill, and a similar event was held in Christchurch.

"What we ultimately object to is the fact that the census is compulsory," Mr Darnton said yesterday.

"Because it's somebody from the Government you're compelled under threat of punishment to fill it in."

Those who burned forms now faced the prospect of $500 fines, which would increase by $20 for every day the forms continued to not be filled in, he said.

WOW, just like a dog fine for a dog pissing on the neighbours fence unsupervised? and I suppose they both make as much sense as the other.

Dangerous dogs face bullet

Menacing dogs found roaming uncontrolled on Far North roads and public areas are to be shot immediately if animal control officers believe they're too dangerous to impound.

The destruction order aimed at straying and dangerous dogs has been issued by the Far North District Council whose animal control officers have been told to adopt a "gloves off" approach.

The hard line instruction follows serious dog attacks on four people in the Kaikohe area in recent months.

Three victims, including a 9-year-old boy, required hospital treatment for wounds inflicted by unregistered pitbull-cross dogs.

"It has to stop. If we have to destroy dogs to protect the community from attacks, then that is what will happen," council spokesman Patrick Schofield said.

MORE>>

Chips-for-dogs legislation an ass, says mayor

Councillors jokingly considered "civil disobedience" in protest of the upcoming dog microchipping legislation at yesterday's Central Otago District Council estimates meeting.

Council planning and regulatory manager Louise van der Voort told councillors it would cost $9525 for the council to comply with the requirements of maintaining the national dog database.

The database was being developed for the purpose of microchipping dogs as required under new legislation.

Cr Neil Gillespie raised the question of council refusing to comply with the legislation and behaving "civilly disobediently". Cr Graeme Dillon said it came down to whether the council wanted to "be a bit wicked" and disobey the legislation, or if it should be left to the individual dog owner to decide if they wanted to present their dogs for registration.

Mayor Malcolm Macpherson said civil disobedience was an interesting idea but for a local authority choosing to go that way would be a bit "bizarre".

But he did agree the legislation was "an ass".

Councillors eventually decided if it was going to be civilly disobedient, it should be over something "really big". It agreed to fund the microchipping costs.

too bad, so sad, but thanks for reporting this...

Fed farmers chip away at minister

Federated Farmers has presented Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton with "a practical and pragmatic solution" which would enable working dogs to be exempt from microchipping, says Federated Farmers president Charlie Pedersen.

As from July 1 all newly registered dogs and dangerous dog breeds have to have microchips inserted. Farmers say the legislation for working dogs is illogical as their dogs have never injured any member of the public.

They want farm, police and seeing eye dogs exempt from the microchipping law.
The ministry is looking at the proposal now and verifying that it is practical, Mr Pedersen says.
"I'm not sure when we'll hear but the clock is ticking towards July 1, so there isn't too much time," he says.

"We are in the Government's hands now, we're just waiting to hear," Mr Pedersen says.
MORE>>

Child badly injured after dog attack

A nine-year-old boy received serious injuries to his upper body when, an American Pitbull attacked him as he walked down a shared right-of-way, off Harold Avenue, Kaikohe, at about 4:50pm on Monday last week.

The youth was admitted to a local medical centre and transferred to Whangarei Hospital for further treatment.

Far North District Council animal control officers located and detained the dog within 20-minutes of the attack and are making enquiries with a view to prosecuting the dog's owner.

Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp said the latest dog attack deeply concerned her.
"Somehow, we have to bring the message home to owners that allowing their dogs to wander unsupervised, or not under immediate control, can lead to a serious incident. Oh, hogwash! dogs that wander don't pose that much of a problem. It's the unsocialised dogs that wander that pose a threat.

"It is totally unacceptable that a member of the public, particularly a small child, is not able to walk the streets in total safety from attacks such as this," she said. Yes, I agree! There are other dangerous threats out there too, but dogs shouldn't be one of them.

Mayor Sharp said the council was reviewing its bylaws, with the intention of toughening the rules applying to dogs in public areas, and was close to notifying bylaw changes for public comment. Right! Let's get tough on dogs! Ya, that'll fix the problem!! It worked for drugs, why wouldn't it work for dogs!

Meanwhile, a Harold Avenue resident said she called the council at least six times in the 12-months prior to last week's attack to complain about the same dogs.
"It seemed as though the council only issued warnings," she said.

Not in Christchurch. Dog Officers lie. They tell you they'll give you a warning, but they issue a ticket. They should educate the public instead of going attacking good dog owners...

Lucky dog Dyna in the box seat

Dyna spends a lot of the time in the dog box, but she loves every minute of it.

The 10-month old blue heeler-fox terrier cross has been attracting attention scooting around the streets of Nelson in a purpose-built travel box on the back of owner Vickie Davis's 1968 Honda C50 scooter.

As a three-month-old puppy, Dyna used to sit behind Miss Davis on the bike's seat for short jaunts around her home. But Miss Davis decided the seating arrangement was too dangerous for longer trips so took Dyna to work in her truck. That was until she came up with the idea of a travel box: a vinyl-covered plywood box with a hole in the lid for Dyna's head.

The box can be attached to the back of any one of Miss Davis' three old motorbikes.
"It means she can become mobile with me, and it is a lot more fuel-efficient." MORE>>

Thomson's win hunts at Omamari trials

Ideal conditions at Jim and Dawn Miller's property for the annual Omamari, sheepdog trials and with sheep off the property knowing their way around, it took pretty skilled work by the dogs to enable a completed run.

In the huntaway events the placings were hotly contested. The father and daughter combo of Guy and Claire Thomson each won a hunt, Guy the straight hunt and Claire in the zig zag event.
Claire, who competed with three dogs in these events gained placings with all her huntaways. A great effort!

Allen Nisbet with Pearl, who are now locals to this club, placed in both hunts. Pearl is coming back to her previous form of last year of which she was nearly unbeatable.
The yarding event was hard going with few pens. MORE>>

If you've never seen a dog trial, do so! It's amazing to see the dogs rounding up the sheep, and all the other 'tricks' they do... There's on in Ashburton in October 06.. any AMP show.

Or go to the Sheep Trial Association website for more info

Nine dogs maul sheep on Komata farm

Komata farmer Colin Barnett was shocked when nine pig dogs attacked his sheep when he was mustering last week. Mr Barnett wasn't sure what to do when the dogs began attacking the animals. Then four pig hunters appeared and tried to bring the dogs into line.

"I started to chase a couple off and then this hunter came running down the paddock, waving his arms at them to stop," Mr Barnett says.

"He said they've never done this before and when he stopped to tell me they just went off and after some more sheep. There were four guys, but two of them were hiding in the scrub."
Mr Barnett says this is the first time any animal has been attacked by pig dogs on the Komata Reef land he leases from Dirk Seiling. He reported the incident to police, including a branding tattoo he saw on one of the dogs. MORE>>

Farmers right on microchips - United Future

United Future is backing farmers' calls to scrap new dog control laws that would require all dogs registered after July 1 to be microchipped. MORE>>

And when ya think that in the States it only cost $25 for both microchip AND registration, you'd think that they'd think about the cost, instead of saying a straight out NO to microchipping. I'm sure most people wouldn't oppose it if it were cheap(er).