Dog owner seeks leads in puppy theft

Maria Redshaw is devastated after losing one of her shih tzu puppies to a thief.

The Blockhouse Bay resident was selling the puppy for $950 when it was taken by a man posing as a potential buyer.

The man answered a newspaper advert and said he wanted to buy the eight-week-old dog as a Valentine's Day gift.

Mrs Redshaw gave him the puppy to hold while they discussed its special nutrition needs.

"He was pleasant," she says. "He looked very clean and respectable." MORE>>

Shih tzu females sell for around $1650 in pet shops. Well, that's a lot of money for a dog!! ... you'd certainly make sure it had a microchip!!

Acting community relations police sergeant Brendan Stewart says similar kinds of thefts happen occasionally.

But this is the first he's heard of in a while.

Information, Avondale police, phone: 820-5700.

Don't Leave Kids, Dogs Alone, Study Warns

This news item was in The Press-- front page of the weekend... And they never rang doglinks for comment. Well, I'm commenting now!

"They may be man's best friend, but 800,000 times each year in the United States, dogs bite someone, resulting in more than 380,000 trips to the emergency room, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Youngsters, especially, are at risk from dog bites, British experts say.

"Young children should not be left alone with dogs," warns Dr. Marina Morgan, a consultant medical microbiologist at the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust and lead author of a new guide on dog bites published in the Feb. 24 British Medical Journal." MORE>>

Why is it that dog bites are going up?

Why is it that 20- years ago, dogs were waiting for their 'master' when he got off the school bus?

Why is it that parents never scared their children into thinking "be aware of dogs"? Never pat a strange dog.

In 'those days' there were no 'strange' dogs because everyone in the neigbourhood knew each's other kids, kids' name, dogs' name. It was a community that cared about each other. Well, some communities were like that.

Putting dogs behind high fences and short leases (leads) are the reason for our dogs not being social. A dog that doesn't understand another dog's body language (ie, tail wagging hugely, etc.. submission signs) will not understand the difference between a dog and a child. They've never being allowed to.

Perhpas the article is right in stating that a dog shouldn't be left alone with a child because our dog's aren't socialised. That's sad. Very sad because we know the benefits that a pet as on the elderly, the blind, the deaf, the prison immates, and children.

The MAGIC of dogs is that they teach humans what it's like to be nice, considerate, and thoughtful. Humans are taught to understand that there is something else besides them that's important.

A lot of young adults in their 20's who don't have kids don't understand about caring for someone other than yourself. (high rate of graffitti, drug taking, etc) Dogs give them that gift, IF and ONLY IF they are taught how to read a dog's body language, how to teach a dog tricks (ie dog training), how to socialise a dog, how to...

What are YOUR thoughts about this article?

Fay in fine form at dog trials

Uruti's Graham Northcott was in fine form with his bitch Fay at last week's Mangaehu-Stratford dog trials at Tututawa.
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Walker and guide dog's participation rewarded

(Southland Times)

Thanks to a roofing accident in 1989, former builder Peter Neville has a great pair of sparkling eyes.

Made of glass in all the hues of a paua shell, they gleam as he cools down after finishing the 11th – and his fifth – Papatowai Challenge on Saturday.

Gently panting at his feet is 11-year-old black labrador Huia, content after being reunited with her master.

She started boldly but, hot and footsore, hitched a lift in a ute, leaving Neville and his sight-guide Dave Jackson to finish the 15.5km bush and beach course in a balmy 25degC.

The Dunedin man was by no means the last runner home, in 2hr 55min.

(...)

The human was thrilled but the canine was not too fussed – much more interesting was some stray tomato sauce on the stage.

Mr Neville, who worked at the Blind Foundation for 16 years before he retired, has had his beloved guide dog for nine years.

"She takes me everywhere in St Kilda and always brings me safely home," he said, as Huia gazed at him.

Call to have dogs vaccinated for deadly parvo virus

After a recent plague of the deadly parvo virus in Temuka, vets are urging residents to get their dogs vaccinated.

>The South Canterbury Vet Clinic Annual Dog Vaccination Run will be held in March, and vet nurse Angela Cuthbertson is urging all dog owners to take part.

"After the parvo virus that affected four dogs in Temuka it is really important that dog owners get their dogs vaccinated and we'd like to see as many people as we can at the runs." MORE>>

Chicken-slaying dog's life spared

Gunther, Timaru's chicken-eating schnauzer, has had his life spared – by a whisker.

Gunther may have eaten up to 50 chickens in Timaru last October, burying their carcasses in a paddock.

But the thing that allowed Gunther and kennel-mate Linka to get free, their owner's carelessness, may also have saved Gunther's life. (...)

She said Seeler accepted that the night before the chicken attack he did not secure the dog run.

Lawrence said the incident was an isolated one, and the first attack of any kind.

She said there were exceptional circumstances that could allow the court not to order the dogs' destruction, as sought by the council.

An Ashburton dog owner told the court she was prepared to have the dogs and keep them secure. The judge said Gunther was a much-loved pet and was said to be gentle with people.

He said he was satisfied, as the dog had not burrowed under or jumped a fence, that the circumstances were unusual.

He was satisfied destruction was not warranted, but it was a close call.

Seeler was fined $200 on each of the confinement counts and $500 on the attack count, each with costs of $130. He had also agreed to pay $640 for the chickens and will have to pay more than a $1000 in pound fees. He was also ordered to pay solicitors' costs of $150 on each count. On each count? how much is that? 150 chickens, ...150 counts??

New dog pound to prevent owner break-ins

Keeping out the owners of unruly dogs is proving as big a battle as keeping in their troublesome hounds for Paraparaumu's dog pound.

Kapiti Coast District Council plans to build a new pound with improved security, partly to prevent further break-ins by owners attempting to spirit their dogs out of the district.

Council community assets and services group manager Rob Williams said a more secure dog pound should be built within the next financial year.

"The council's low-tolerance approach to dog owners flouting the new Animal Control Act has led to more dogs impounded, but our security needs to be increased to keep their owners out and safer conditions are needed for staff," Mr Williams said.

(...) Over the past 12 months 700 dogs have been impounded.

The more rules you make, the more society (ie tax payers) have to pay.

You only get compliance if people believe that the rules/laws are fair. Obviously they don't. Who are the ones that make the most percentage of incarceration (we are talking people here)?

If that wasn't clear, what is the crime that puts most people in jail? and what is it related to?
once you get those answers, then you'll understand which laws don't work and need to change.

There is room in the 'comment' box 4 your answers!

Roaming dogs cause a stink

Sun, sand and dog poo have proven to be an unwanted combination in Paihia. It's caused some Te Haumi beach residents to kick up a stink.

Bryon and Judy Taylor run a bed and breakfast and have lived across from Te Haumi beach for 50 years.

The couple are fed up with dog owners failing to abide by the beach bylaws. The pair have become known as guardians of the beach.

The consequences, they say, are dogs roaming the beach, excrement in the sand and an unhealthy and dangerous environment. Dangerous?? that's a bit extreme. Pls explain.

The Far North District Council prohibits unleashed dogs on beaches from the Waitangi bridge to Te Haumi beach.

But the Taylors say on any given day, dogs can be found on the beach unrestrained. Of course, dogs love the beach. What you need is an off-limits area. People can't bring their dogs anywhere anymore off leash, so they go to the only place where they won't get harassed. They should pick up their dog's shit or train their dog to shit in the bush!

They believe it becomes too difficult for owners to monitor unleashed dogs.(...)The council dog ranger is now patrolling Paihia beaches on a regular basis ensuring the rules are upheld.

Those found breaking the bylaw face a fine of up to $20,000.

Wow $20 000... that will show them, won't it?!?

A fine that's worth nothing because it's way out of wack!! hell, you can be beaten up, and the guy won't even pay for your doctor's visit?!
But a dog shitting on the beach incurs $20 000 (yes, of course it says 'up to'.. they wanna frighten you, but all they are doing is making it a joke) Penalties that will be left unpaid!

Does the beach have pooper bags?
Does the beach have a rubbish can?
Does the beach have off-limits for dogs?

Reward those that pick up... positive reinforcement always works!

"Catch a good dog owner" award. Like they have in a classroom :)

Ultimately it comes down to resources, access, and just 'doing the right thing'.

Bill Cosby's dandy Kiwi

Erinn Cosby called her famous dad, then ran on to the green carpet at Madison Square Garden, New York, for more pressing business: kissing one lucky dog smack on the mouth.

The New Zealand-bred six-year-old dandie dinmont, known as Harry, won the terrier group at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show yesterday.

The dog is co-owned by former television comedian Bill Cosby and was bred by the late Josie Whittall, of Levin.

The win is a coup for Kiwi dogs, the New Zealand Kennel Club says, with the Westminster being the most prestigious dog show in America.

"I'm quietly quite flabbergasted and absolutely delighted that a New Zealand dog, her breeding, has gone so far," New Zealand Kennel Club Allbreeds judge Kim Crysell said.

MORE>>

Dog destroyed after toddler mauled

A rottweiler that mauled a three-year-old Westport girl yesterday has been destroyed.

The toddler is in a stable condition after surgery at Christchurch Hospital last night for facial injuries.

Westport police constable Sean Judd said the girl and her mother were visiting family friends and the toddler was playing with the dog when it bit her on the forehead. MORE>>

Another unsocialised dog... owners too afraid to socialise because of what 'others' think about this breed of dog. So sad. (after reading the article the next day,... well, we'll never know why the dog attacked especially when no one SAW the attack ! why not??)

______________________________________________

Dog owners will not be prosecuted for attack

February 14, 2007

Authorities say there are no grounds to prosecute the owners of a rottweiler dog that attacked a toddler who needed surgery for serious facial injuries.
(...)

The toddler was visiting a Westport house with her mother when the attack occurred on Monday morning. (...)

It is understood the girl was playing with the dog when it suddenly attacked and bit her face.
The child's parents, at her bedside yesterday, did not want to comment on the attack.

Council spokeswoman Lisa Hankey said the council was not planning to prosecute the dog owners, because the adult rottweiler was registered and inside a private property.

This would not change unless the parents of the child "wished to add anything".There had been no previous complaints about the dog.

Obviously, the dog owners are friends with the little girl and her family. Why would the family want to add anything.

The dog died in vain... defending itself from a kid pocking its nose or whatever, and irresponsible parents not supervising their child with a dog!

Dangerous dog goes free

A Wanganui kennel operator who needed more than 85 stitches after being mauled by a dog she was caring for says she is appalled that it escaped a death sentence.

The injuries the woman suffered from the german shepherd sparked debate over whether she was in effect its temporary owner.

On July 16 last year Carol Jones was walking the unregistered dog, called Ori. When she tried to manoeuvre the dog around a sapling it leapt at her throat. Ori bit into her right arm, bowled her to the ground, then mauled her left arm.

"The dog nearly killed me and it would have if my husband hadn't pulled it off. I was in a bad way and will be scarred for life," she said.

Wanganui District Council's zero-tolerance policy requires that dogs that attack be put down and the owners prosecuted.

But Mrs Jones said her pleas to have the dog put down were ignored, and she believed the council acted as it did because the owner, Dot Pleasants, was the wife of local RSA president and Wanganui ambassador Graeme Pleasants.

"What really gets us is that the Wanganui District Council has represented the chosen few instead of the community," Mrs Jones said.

The council's regulatory manager at the time of the attack, Stuart Hylton, said because the dog was in Mrs Jones' care the issue of ownership was "contentious".

He denied that the Pleasantses had received any special treatment but understood how it could be seen that way.

"It was a unique case, the owner was out of town, and she was the caretaker."

Mr Hylton said that legally the council could only ask Mr and Mrs Pleasants to hand over the dog to be put down, but they refused.

An informal committee in August heard from Mrs Jones and the Pleasantses but decided to take no further action.

Wanganui District Council lawyers argued that because Mrs Jones had the dog for over 72 hours she was the "owner" - a position that was criticised by Ombudsman Beverley Wakem and Associate Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

The dog was classified as "dangerous".It is not allowed off the owner's property except to go to the vet.

Mrs Pleasants said they had met the council's requirements and did not wish to comment further.

Dog Control officers need leash

Residents in Stokes Valley claim they are being intimidated by dog control officers.

Tougher dog control laws were introduced in New Zealand after a spate of high profile attacks but some people in the small Hutt Valley suburb feel stronger controls are needed over those who enforce the law. Well, so what we said has come true!! We submitted to the Select Committee for the new dog laws, and they didn't actually adopt anything we said. We knew that more rules meant that those in a uniform feel 'empowered' to bully with impunity. We had in Christchurch, and now in Stokes Valley. And that is only what we hear....

Resident Chris Boyce claims he was physically assaulted by a dog control officer in 2005 after he failed to re-register his elderly dog, Buster.

Boyce said he felt powerless against these uniformed officers who "wander round like policemen". He had not registered his dog as it was about to be put down. That is reasonable and during those final days with your dog, the last thing you want is to be intimidated by these folks!

The Hutt City Council later apologised and Animal Services Officer Les Dalton admitted there had been a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding !! Is that what they now call it?! Why can't they apologise without a needed to justify themselves.

But the local veterinary clinic says it was not an isolated incident and there have been plenty of negative stories about dog control officers in the area.

Vet nurse Lorna Hughes says allegations of physical and verbal abuse have been common. She added that "all sorts of complaints have come over the years but nothing has ever been done". Interestingly, around 5 years ago when our dog was sitting on our front yard waiting for us (yes, he wandered and we HAD to leave for an important appointment! ) a dog pound guy came around.

He tried to get our dog off of our property by bribing it with meat or something. Our neighbour (great neighbours we have) saw this, and demanded that the dog pound guy release the dog (our dog). The dog pound didn't want to, but our neighour threatened to 'complain'. That did wonders... and yes, we didn't complain to the city officials. But we would NOW!

Council spokesman Don Carson admits to some community disquiet but says it is difficult to address as they have not received any complaints. He says until they do, they will continue to support their officers. Everyone fells compelled to complain about a dog barking, but never about how it was handled. What I really resent is that when you do complain about "dog bullies" they hide behind their own.... What I want to see is

Les Dalton concurs with this view. He denies his officers are intimidating and adds that they are a very experienced team. Let me see their qualifications! I will email them, and ask how they got qualified. I'll keep you posted.

The council did admit though that they are considering some changes in their approach. It's about fregging time!

Man bites dog, then dog bites man

Police dog Edge, who nearly died after being stabbed by an armed attacker, has proven his bite is worse than his bark after returning the favour when an armed robbery suspect sunk his teeth into the dog.

Edge, who needed emergency surgery and blood donations from a greyhound last year, had tracked and cornered two suspects after a Napier mini-mart holdup on Waitangi Day when he was attacked by one of the men.

Detective Sergeant John McGregor said one of the robbery suspects sunk his teeth into Edge - but there was only one winner in the biting contest. "The dog did win the fight."

MORE>>

Flat hunting rocky road for dog owner

Owning a dog has advantages like security and companionship.

But Hamilton chef Aaron Roycroft says finding a home when you have a dog isn't easy.

Aaron, 42, has been trying to find a flat for him and his four-year-old German shepherd Rocky since November, but to no avail.

He said he has advertised for a home 20 times in newspapers, and rental agencies lost interest in him the minute he mentioned Rocky.(...)

Ideally he'd like a place with some space for Rocky and reasonably close to work. But he's not fussy. He has until today thursday 8-2 to find a home. Phone Aaron on 021-105-4855 or work 855-2001.

Canine capers at Masters

There are likely to be some new tricks for old dogs and their owners to learn at this year’s Masters Games dog handling.

Three disciplines will be run over the first weekend of the games, with obedience and agility set down for February 10 and the cross-country on February 11.

Event organiser Margarette Marshall said the cross-country in particular would be a good time for the competitors, their dogs and the spectators alike.

“It’s not a normal sport with dog handling so we put it in for a bit of fun,” she said.

“We’ve got a few obstacles set up for them, a few water jumps and that sort of thing, plus they go through the bushes and up over the hill so there is something for everyone.

Tasers fired eight times, including at fierce pitbull

A dog that charged police has become the first animal to be shot by the Taser stun gun.

The pitbull, which had been pepper sprayed twice, was shot after its owner refused to control it.

Police statistics show 56 incidents involving the Taser since the trial began last September.

Of the eight cases in which Tasers were actually fired, seven have been at people and one at the dog, which stopped attacking after being hit by the weapon's probes. MORE>>

Handling sheep stress

Researcher Ngaio Beausoleil has discovered sheep really are scared of dogs, writes DAVE WILLIAMS.

It may seem obvious. Sheep are scared of dogs, and that is why dogs are so handy for herding sheep.

Domestication has changed the relationship between animals and man.

Selection by man over thousands and thousands of years has reduced sheep's fear of humans. But domestic sheep still show signs of fear around humans, so just how afraid are sheep of humans these days and does it matter? Has domestication changed sheep's fear of dogs? And are they more afraid of dogs than humans? MORE>>

Dogs destroyed after meter reader mauled

Two dogs were today ordered to be put down for savaging a meter reader, ripping off part of his ear.

Charges included failing to register a dog and owning a dog that attacked a person.
(...)

Council lawyer Kirsty Berry requested the dogs Rogue and Cookie be destroyed and fines of $1000-$1500 per charge be imposed.

The dog Bill was put down immediately after the incident. Judge Anne Gaskell said Rogue and Cookie had been impounded since the attack and ordered both dogs be destroyed.

Judge Gaskell said the amount of fines the council was seeking was unrealistic given that Rua and Napia were beneficiaries. Yes I agree. For a millionaire, $1000 is nothing, but for someone who's got nothing, it is alot. I do, however, feel sorry for the victim, and I think that the only way of repatriation... hell, I don't know.

She fined Napia $500, ordered her to pay pound fees of $1250, court costs and a solicitor's fee.

Rua was fined $250, ordered to pay pound fees of $1250 and other costs.

Still alot... but they've got to pay the piper~ They should have sought dog training..

Judge Gaskell said both Napia and Rua expressed sorrow and remorse and she agreed with their suggestion that any fines be paid to the victim. I'd rather see a higher fine, and lower court cost, etc.. in order for more moeny to go to the victim. Somehow the victim lost here. Or am I wrong in reading this?

Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Berry said the council wanted to send a clear message that it was taking a strong stance with regard to prosecuting dog owners. To read the whole article

Man ignored injured dog for two weeks: SPCA

The Auckland SPCA has today successfully prosecuted a South Auckland farmer for failing to receive veterinary treatment for his severely injured dog which resulted in the dog having to be put to sleep.

In September last year the Auckland SPCA was called to attended the farm where the dog was being housed. On arrival a SPCA Inspector found the dog in a barn.

The black Labrador cross had extensive injuries to its rear legs and was unable to walk, this was a result of being hit by a tractor two weeks prior.

The dog was removed from the property and taken to a veterinarian for assessment where it became clear that the only option was humane euthanasia. (...)

He was ordered to pay reparations to the SPCA for $1082.15.