Farmer pledges to break dog law
24 May 2006
One lone farming voice has stood up against the microchipping of dogs in Kaikoura District with a certain amount of success.
(...)
Mr Parsons contended that microchipping was the Government's way of passing the buck after high profile attacks on children by dangerous dogs. YES, I agree!
"At the end of the day it's a police problem. If I walk down the street with a loaded gun the police would be there in minutes. "But I can walk down the street with a dangerous dog. What's the difference?"
The opportunity to forbid the importation of dangerous dogs years ago was "fluffed" and now responsible dog owners and ratepayers were bearing the financial brunt.
(...)
Councillors agreed unanimously to adopt its dog control policy under the new Act with the proviso that microchipping infringements be downgraded from the A list, where an infringement notice be given without prior warning to the B list where a warning would be given.
Mr Parsons was assured that council did not intend to go out and intentionally check on whether the dogs of responsible owners were microchipped.
Mayor Kevin Heays said South Island councils, which had a large rural component, had come out against microchipping during local government level meetings. However, northern councils failed to support them.
"But council cannot say we will not comply as a council. We have statutory obligation."
Councillors agreed with Mr Parsons on the dangerous dog issue.
"We really ought, as a nation. do something about the dogs that actually bite people," Barbara Woods said.
One lone farming voice has stood up against the microchipping of dogs in Kaikoura District with a certain amount of success.
(...)
Mr Parsons contended that microchipping was the Government's way of passing the buck after high profile attacks on children by dangerous dogs. YES, I agree!
"At the end of the day it's a police problem. If I walk down the street with a loaded gun the police would be there in minutes. "But I can walk down the street with a dangerous dog. What's the difference?"
The opportunity to forbid the importation of dangerous dogs years ago was "fluffed" and now responsible dog owners and ratepayers were bearing the financial brunt.
(...)
Councillors agreed unanimously to adopt its dog control policy under the new Act with the proviso that microchipping infringements be downgraded from the A list, where an infringement notice be given without prior warning to the B list where a warning would be given.
Mr Parsons was assured that council did not intend to go out and intentionally check on whether the dogs of responsible owners were microchipped.
Mayor Kevin Heays said South Island councils, which had a large rural component, had come out against microchipping during local government level meetings. However, northern councils failed to support them.
"But council cannot say we will not comply as a council. We have statutory obligation."
Councillors agreed with Mr Parsons on the dangerous dog issue.
"We really ought, as a nation. do something about the dogs that actually bite people," Barbara Woods said.
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