Pet owners must exercise restraint

This is an opinion piece from the NZHerald.

It's time for clear thinking on dog control. We know that dogs evolved from wolves. They can bite, maim or even kill. Dogs are also great companions, are faithful and will work hard to help guard one's safety, especially if threatened.

Many dog owners are responsible. The messages I have received tend to focus more on dog safety, and not on abolishing dog ownership. Dogs are a permanent part of many Kiwi homes and our communities.

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People must respect the law. It's the trade-off for the privilege of owning a dog. Hum... a privilege?! Not sure if I accept that word. I think that the dog is privileged to be living with us rather than the other way around.

Neighbours and community members also have a role to play if they know that potentially dangerous dogs are roaming, or not muzzled and leashed in public places. They are key to keeping the local council informed about dog behaviour in their neighbourhood.

It's called Dob-in-a-neighbour.

My dog was dobbed in. My dog was fined for peeing on a fence unsupervised. My dog is well-known in the community of helping out the community like catching a robber and actually putting them in jail.

My dog has been attacked by a pit-bull looking/type dog. What ever you call those ugly mutts. (apologies for those who love them, but this is my blog :) and that breed attacked my dog a SECOND TIME.

Now we actually NOW know who's dog it is. That neighbour just moved in, around a year ago. I desperately want to Dob-in-that-neighbour especially since we can't walk up to his house without the dog 'defending' itself. My partner doesn't want to. He wants to do the neighbourly thing and talk to the guy. I tell him... go for it, but if my dog is attacked a third time, that will be the end of the friendly neighbour.

Deep in my heart, I know that this is the best course of action because I understand how our dog laws have put our dogs behind 6 foot fence and short leads leading to unsocialised dogs. But my other brain says, just dob-him-in!

We need good enforcement from local authorities. Dog owners should respect the law and accept that their neighbours are acting as good citizens when they call the council to deal with problem dogs.

The problem with local authorities is that people don't trust them. If I would have called them up, all they would have done is fine ($300) some dog sniffing outside their gate instead of getting down to the problem. Bottom line, I don't trust local authority in using their judgment.

The authorities re-wrote a fine they sent me when they were told by us that it wasn't written correctly. Instead of wasting tax payers money and going to court to contest it, I pointed it out to them in a letter. They REWROTE the fine instead of cancelling it. Technicalities don't work with local council. They want your blood and money.

click on title to read the article.