New take on doggie paddle

Celia-boo leaps at the chance for a dip at the Doggie Day Out at H2O Xtream public pool yesterday.

Hundreds of dogs and their owners attended the fundraiser for Upper Hutt Animal Rescue, on the last day before the pool closes for three months.

Events included swimming races, bombing competitions and fancy dress parades.

The crowd was wowed by demonstrations by the Upper Hutt Dog Training School and A Grade Animals Action Ltd.

Celia-Boo's owner, nine-year-old Russell Johnson of Upper Hutt, said the Jack Russell terrier taught herself to swim in the Hutt River "because she didn't want to be left behind".

I can tell you that that swimming pool is the best one in the country, in my opinion. Their wave pool is fantastic... QEII in Chch fails in comparison !!

I'm glad to see the community behind such great events!

Dogs hold key in special read

Sat, 28 Jun 2008

Margie Hanning reviews books for the young.

If you enjoy stories about dogs then Missing Toby by Jill Harris (Longacre, pbk, $18) will be a special read.

If you are reading this, email me at natalie@doglinks.co.nz and you can receive your own Missing Toby from us. Limited supplies. All you need to pay is postage.

Gus and Max are the two local dogs that keep the neighbourhood dogs in check.

In their daily travels they meet Harriet, a lonely girl who is missing her brother, Toby.

When a hurt stray dog is dumped in the neighbourhood, Harriet sets about convincing her parents that she really wants to keep it.

A mysterious benefactor, who has been leaving presents in the letterbox since the day Toby left, is finally revealed after an elderly neighbour has a fall.

As the story progresses, friendships develop and a neighbourhood is drawn together, making for a delightful read.

Jill Harris is a former English teacher and librarian, who lives in Wellington. Her first book Sil, won an honour award in the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.

Dog attacks on sheep mean tough fines

Owners of dogs that attack stock could be fined up to $3000 or face three months in jail, Whangarei's dog control boss is warning after the latest attack on sheep in the city.

What's wrong with paying for the killed sheep? More people in our overcrowded jail?!?
Sheese, can't anyone think of something else apart of fines and jail?

Three ewes and two lambs were ripped apart and killed by two dogs at the bottom of Maunu Hill yesterday, Environmental Northland boss Keith Thompson said. Two other lambs were attacked but survived.

(...)

Mr Thompson said the problem of dogs worrying stock could be avoided if owners kept a closer eye on their pets.

"Some owners just let their dogs out and then don't worry about what they get up to.

"Some think that their dog would never attack stock but it can be any dog with teeth that can attack - we once had a dachshund in for worrying sheep," he said.

How about teaching dogs not to go after sheep. Obviously once the dog got a bite of blood on its teeth, it's a difficult situation. Being proactive though...

Why not have dog lessons from the Pound Control Officers and teach people how to teach their dogs NOT to go after stock. Wouldn't it be easier to have dog owners learn how to educate their dogs around stock? Obviously it wouldn't work with all dogs because of their breed, and so dog owners should know this when they get their dog...

Fines aren't working, so let's think outside the square.

Rookie gets first sniff at border patrol

The Customs Service's newest recruit had his first shot at sniffing out drugs at Auckland Airport yesterday.

Anzac - a 22-month-old black labrador who is halfway through his 12-week training course - successfully detected a cloth with the odour of cocaine planted on a customs officer acting as an incoming passenger.

"He did really well," says Dave Huff, chief customs officer in charge of detector dog training. "In another six weeks we'll have him up to speed with the other dogs." MORE>>

$25 Million worth of drugs off the streets

Press Release: New Zealand Customs Service

In the four years since New Zealand Customs Service Drug Detector dogs have been trained to detect pseudoephedrine, they have found over 100kg.

This amount of precursor would have been used to make approximately $25 million worth of crystal methamphetamine.

When the effects of methamphetamine started becoming apparent in the community, and the precursor was regularly being intercepted at the border, Customs developed a training programme to introduce the dogs to ephedrine and pseudoephedrine scents.

Dave Huff, Chief Customs Officer Detector Dog Training said “There was a massive increase in importations of Contac NT. We needed to make sure all the dogs were active in meeting this threat.”

There's only an increase because there's MONEY in it? Who's fault is that? Cops and courts should have left cannabis alone, and all people would have smoked was mundane drug as opposed to pharmaceutical crap... or alcohol for that matter.

Along with pseudoephedrine the dogs are trained to detect other illicit drugs such as cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy and heroin.

Did you know that dogs can NOT smell LSD... sh... don't tell the drug smugglers.

It is fitting that this landmark amount has been reached on June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Illicit drugs represent a major problem to society. No individual, family or community is safe where illicit drugs take control.

So why would people want to give the control to the gangs? I mean, if drugs are that bad, wouldn't you think that the government would want to regulate it, and not give the power to the gangs. Makes absolutely no scents (sic).

Customs has used detector dogs since 1975. During this period the dogs have had thousands of interceptions, ranging from relatively small amounts of drugs, to multi kilo amounts, the largest in excess of 180kg.

There are nine drug detector dogs working for Customs, with another three in training. The dogs work alongside customs officers finding drugs at international airports in suitcases and on the bodies of passengers. They also search international mail, cargo, ships and small craft.

Mr Huff said “It’s a great feeling every time a dog finds drugs. We remember that all the time and effort we put into training the dogs actually does make a difference to our communities.”

Don't you mean.. thank god there are drugs around because if there weren't we'd be out of a job!! Make a difference to our community! huh? ... there is NO difference. Drugs are STILL on the streets and it's now more prevelant. So, which part of the drug laws WORK?

Customs contributes data to the Drug Harm Index and will draw from the index to measure the effectiveness of operations and interceptions on the drug trade in New Zealand.

“The Drug Harm Index will show us not only the street value of the drugs we intercept, but also the benefits to the community in getting these drugs off the street.” Mr Huff said.

The Drug Index... what a joke ! I mean, who did this study? The police, the customs.. sounds pretty bias to me.

Twice bitten but Daniel won't stay shy of dogs

A Naenae Intermediate pupil is being hailed a hero after he put himself between a dog and two girls it was attacking.

Nice to see that boys are still boys, protecting us females.. I say that in the nicest way..

Daniel Kirkwood, 12, suffered bites to both arms and a nip to his leg.

Naenae Community Constable Russ Kalivati says that kids had been patting the dog on their way to school last Friday. It followed them down towards Naenae subway, where it appears it became frightened and agitated by all the people rushing to work and school. Constable Kalivati says it bit an adult then bailed up two girls, one of whom ended up with scratches and bruising on her back.

(...)

Constable Kalivati praised Daniel's bravery and decision to do what he could when others passed by. However, he didn't want people to get the impression Naenae was plagued by aggressive dogs. He says in three years as community constable there, this is the first dog biting incident he's dealt with.

ya, that's what happens in the media.. you get a journalist wanting a good story, and in there seems to be the message that dogs are bad, and they are everywhere.

Just remember there were 60 000 dogs today that haven't attacked a soul!

New pound to beat dog burglars

Kapiti Coast District Council has begun construction of a new $240,000 dog pound with increased security, partly to prevent break-ins by owners trying to remove their dogs.

Acting chief executive Kevin Jefferies said the council installed extra security cameras two years ago, but its low-tolerance approach to flouting of the Animal Control Act had led to more dogs impounded. In the past 12 months 458 had been impounded, up from 436 the year before.

Since a registration crackdown 6073 dogs were now registered, compared with 5884 at the end of 2007.

I spoke to an Englishman living in NZ with his family, and he said that he was surprised to NOT see dogs in our streets. He said that in the UK, you see a lot more dogs around, EVEN without their owners... That was his perception of this country...

I guess there are more doggie friendly buses, cafes, pubs, you name it.

Dog ban halts dream of vet study

Melanie Donne's dream of becoming a vet, despite a brain injury suffered in a car crash, has been dealt a blow because the dog trained to curb her panic attacks is not welcome at Massey University.

Rica, a two-year-old German shepherd, is by her side when she visits supermarkets, banks, book stores and council buildings.

But when Ms Donne asked for permission for her dog to accompany her to university classes in Palmerston North next year she was declined. Rica was not a recognised disability dog.

"They are taking away my education, I feel discriminated against," she said. "Massey are saying no, when everyone else has said yes." MORE>>

That's terrible.. and Massey does vet courses.. sheese...

Dogs' barking makes neighbour howling mad

It's a case of neighbours at war - and they're both driving each other barking mad.

A seething Silverstream home owner says he has lost sleep for eight years because of incessant yapping from his neighbour's two pet Labradors.

But dog owner Ian McCulloch says the complainant, Bob Robertson, simply has a bee in his bonnet. His ageing canine companions - one of which has had two strokes and surgery to remove a tumour - were well behaved and barked no more than the average family dog.

Mr Robertson, an IT manager, has made repeated complaints to dog control officers about the Labs and even threatened to shoot his four-legged foes, Cindy, 14, and Lisa, 7, during the protracted standoff.

Dog barking is a nuisance. Yes you can train dogs to bark on command, but the reality is that at night, at 2 am, you just want to sleep. My dog sleeps on my bed. But he did sleep outside, in a dog house for a year when I was living with people who didn't want him in the house. He barked. Our neighbours were far, so he just bothered me and my flatmates.

What did I do? I went outside with a newspaper rolled up. I went to him and hit the newspaper on my leg. I said 'no barks'. I also moved the dog house near my bedroom window so that I didn't have to go outside. I just yelled. But I also yelled while I shined a torch light on him.

My dog is smart. My dog associated the light of the torch with me saying 'no barks'. This meant that I didn't even have to get out of bed. I just shown my torch to his dog house when he barked, and he went quiet.

His barking was to see if I was around as he wasn't used to sleeping outside at night. His barking wasn't to tell me someone was coming. When he does, all I do is acknowledge his bark by saying 'thank you' and he stops barking.

Upper Hutt City Council has issued Mr McCulloch with a dog removal notice. But he appealed against the order and both men squared off at a hearing last week. Mr Robertson has no plans to move house, but he has "thought about double glazing".

MORE>>

Council directive: No dogs at the rugby

A dog attack at a Feilding junior rugby match has led to portable dog banning signs being distributed to sports organisers.

The Manawatu District Council signs, which warn dog owners to keep their dogs away from playing fields, will be pegged into the ground before sporting fixtures at Victoria, Timona, Johnston and Kowhai parks.

The attack - which occurred earlier this month - involved a dog biting the wrist of a Feilding under- 12s rugby coach who was running up the sideline.

The coach required medical treatment and had to take time off work.MORE>>

Sad when the actions of one dog owner affects the whole community.

Top police dog Cane dies

Police dog Cane, hailed as a hero after he was stabbed pursuing a fleeing burglar, died yesterday, just months into his early retirement.

His owner, Rotorua dog handler Sergeant Jason Owen said Cane was unwell when he woke yesterday and died before Mr Owen could get him to a vet.

"He was my best mate and will be sorely missed." MORE>>

Pups dumped by the dozen

Shocked animal welfare workers say the person who dumped a litter of pups in a rubbish bag is a coward.

The 12 puppies were only 10 days old when they were found in a Te Atatu South reserve.

Priya Sundar, who works at Waitakere’s Animal Welfare Centre, is disgusted and wants people to think twice before abandoning unwanted animals.

"It seems really heartless," she says. "There is no genuine reason for animal cruelty or animal neglect."

The puppies are now five weeks old and have been nursed back to full health.

MORE>>

Warm dogs stay healthy

The SPCA wants pet owners to ensure their dogs stay warm through the cold months.

"Give your dog his own special place in the house and a bed that’s somewhere free from draughts," says national chief executive Robyn Kippenberger.

"Dogs lose body heat very rapidly and, just as with humans, a cold dog is extremely likely to be a sick and miserable dog.
MORE>>

Dog control staff want licence to kill

This is the same powers that the cops want (and will have) for domestic violence. Police to issue instant domestic abuse orders

This type of 'power' only works if you trust the people who have the power. If you don't trust dog control officers... (check the past complaints about them HERE ) then this law would be a bad law.

People mis-trust cops, and given them even MORE power... well....

A group representing animal control officers has asked Parliament for more power to seize and destroy aggressive dogs before they actually attack, saying officers generally know which dogs are heading for danger but have few powers to act.

In a submission on the Dog Control Amendment Bill, the president of the Institute of Animal Control Officers, John Payne, said officers were largely "hamstrung" from dealing with dogs they knew were heading for danger.

Although the bill did not cover this area, he said further changes were needed to dog control laws and asked the committee to consider it.

MORE>>

Dog breed banning not the answer, committee hears

Animal control officers today argued against legislation banning specific dog breeds, saying even a labrador can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

A parliamentary select committee is hearing submissions on the Dog Control Amendment Bill (No 2) which makes it mandatory for dogs classified as menacing, because they are of a certain breed or type, to be neutered.

The bill also simplifies the process for adding breeds or types to dog control legislation.

A schedule to the legislation lists breeds or types of dogs that may not be imported into New Zealand, and if already here are subject to muzzling when at large.

(...)

Mrs Shand said banning dog breeds would not stop the number of attacks or dog bites.

"All dogs bite and to my knowledge, since records have been taken, there have been less than 10 people killed in New Zealand due to dog bites and not one of these has been caused by a dog of the same breed and mostly have been caused by crossbred dogs or mongrels," she said.

Well the Dutch are SCRAPPING the ban on dogs READ BELOW

Dutch Agriculture Minister scraps pit bull ban 11/06/2008 00:00

The 1993 ban on owning pit bull terriers was imposed after three children were bitten to death by the dogs.

11 June 2008

THE NETHERLANDS - Dutch Agriculture Minister Gerda Verburg has announced she will scrap the ban on owning and breeding pit bull terriers and related breeds.

The ban was introduced in 1993 after three children were bitten to death by pit bull terriers. The ban allowed police to seize dogs and have them put down purely on the basis of their appearance.

The minister has decided to scrap the ban because it has not led to a reduction in the number of biting incidents.

Verburg wants to introduce a new measure in which dogs are judged by their behaviour rather than breed. She also wants to increase the information provided to dog owners.

Second pitbull attack in a week

Not looking good for pitbulls...

In the second attack by a pitbull terrier within a week, a 33-year-old woman suffered serious injuries when she was mauled yesterday evening. It was HER dog, as I understand.

The Castlecliff woman was taken to Wanganui Hospital with serious injuries to both arms when the pitbull attacked her about 5pm. MORE>>

A question of breeding

here are more than 200 breeds of dog recognised by the New Zealand Kennel Club and, chances are, most people could not name half of them.

But in today's fast-moving world, which so readily embraces the new and the unusual, it is probably inevitable that pet owners are looking for something different and are prepared to pay.

Even in Otago, pups, which unlike their purebred parents will never see a show ring or command a stud fee, are being sold for $1000 and more.

All over the world, breeders are deliberately mixing two distinct bloodlines together, sometimesto produce a particular trait, but often because the results are cute and attractive and highly marketable.

Among the first recognised "designer dogs" was the labradoodle, a Labrador retriever-standard poodle mix bred in Australia in 1989 by breeder Wally Conron.

He was trying to combine the low-shed coat of the poodle with the gentleness and trainability of the labrador to produce a guide dog for blind people allergic to fur.

The labradoodle took off and is now bred in many countries. MORE>>

Trained guard dog savages toddler

A pitbull dog which savaged a two-year-old boy in west Auckland yesterday had been trained as an aggressive guard dog, animal control officers said today.

That's because in that part of town, people fear their neighbours. because of the drug war, and these are some of its consequences.

(...)

Mr Wells said animal control officers needed two catch poles to restrain the dog at its Te Atatu home.

It was so aggressive one of the strong aluminium poles bent as the dog was put into a cage.

How can anyone want to live with this animal.. I hope the dog owners are prosecuted, and sent to jail, because it was used as a potential weapon.

(..)

Mr Wells said the dog was chained up when the toddler wandered into its area.

"A child of that age should never be left unsupervised with any dog."

yes, I agree, and especially with that dog.

He said the dog could never be trusted again. No shit!

___________________

Update

The owner of a pitbull dog which savaged an Auckland toddler last week will not be charged, police said today.

The pitbull, owned by the child's father, was chained up in the family yard in Henderson when the two-year-old boy wandered in on Thursday. MORE>>

MORE>>