Hoping for debate

Gore district councillors this week stuck by their tough stance on dog control, hoping their suggestion for the mandatory euthanasia of wandering dogs would at least stir up debate in Wellington.

The council has advocated mandatory euthanasia for wandering dogs in the community and mandatory sterilisation for certain breeds in a submission to the Department of Internal Affairs local government and community policy group, which was looking at options to improve public safety around dogs.

I read keep watch on dog news, and I don't seem to have read much about Gore's problem with roaming dogs. I mean, if it was such a big issue, why didn't the media pick up on it. Hell, they love these type of stories.

The submission acknowledges there needed to be some discretion to waive the mandatory requirements, such as when an owner showed they had taken all steps to prevent a dog's escape from their property.

But how would they do that? I mean, didn't you say IMMEDIATE death?? Where's DUE PROCESS?

Cr Mervyn Hellier said the education of dog owners was a major issue and often it was the dog owners who were at fault and not the dogs.

And how much money is the council spending on educating dog owners?? probably ZIP

He suggested mandatory euthanasia for dogs and their owners.
(YES,YOU'VE READ THAT RIGHT... "mandatory euthanasia for their owners."

I suggest that when his under 14 yr old wanders the street unsupervised, they get the same fate. I mean, perhaps they are the ones terrorizing the public in tagging, and unwanted social behaviour?

Chief executive Steve Parry said that unless councils had the armoury in the act they could not deal with the problem.

BUT THEY DO !!! Didn't they read the Act?

Or didn't they read the July 2007 Issue of the Listener.

It was the hot topic... researched, and well presented.

"I know it sounds extreme," he said.

No shit!

The council's submission was a "desperate plea" not to dismiss such measures when dog control reform was considered by government.

Too often reform tended to be watered down, Mr Parry said.

such as...??

Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said he realised some of the council's ideas were unpopular but roaming dogs should simply not be allowed to terrorise communities.

Nor are young kids be allowed to terrorise communities.