Driver left dog to die on street

Pharazyn Street resident Anita Rod is sickened by the actions of a motorist who apparently left a fatally injured dog lying in the middle of the road on Wednesday evening.

Mrs Rod said she was driving home about 6.30pm on Wednesday when she saw the dog, a black staffordshire cross, lying on the road.

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"I couldn't believe someone could just leave an animal to die and that people could just drive by without stopping to investigate whether the poor animal was still alive."

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She drove it to Totally Vets where the animal was diagnosed as having a broken back and a broken jaw.

A spokeswoman from Totally Vets told the Feilding Herald they could not track down the dog's owner because it had no tags and was not microchipped. She said the animal's injuries were so severe it was decided it should be destroyed to avoid further suffering.

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The owner, who did not want to be named, later phoned the Herald to confirm that the dog was in fact her pet, Busker. She was dismayed that whoever hit Busker had not stopped to give assistance.

"If you hit an animal, stop." She was very grateful to Mrs Rod for the care and attention she gave Busker. "What an heroic thing she did. It's a great example to others."

SDC keeps its dog fee lowest

Worried about the price of registering your dog? Then you need to move to the Southland District.

After deciding to keep its dog registration fee at $16.80 for the new financial year, the Southland District Council officially has the cheapest rates in the country.

Council regulatory services group manager Lindsay McKenzie said it was council's intention to keep the registration fee as low as possible.

While it only cost $16.80 to register a dog it was surprising how many people decided to avoid the fee and risk a $300 fine, he said.

When I went back to Ottawa, Canada, I found out that the registration fee were $25.00, BUT that they didn't have a high rate of complying either. Obviously, it's not the money, but the principle, or something else....

Like in my previous blog entry, $16.80 is just about the right amount to pay for registration. In Chch it's $80 and unneutered it's something like $75. I seem to remember that 'it' dogs were a lot less expensive to register. So how come is the price almost the same to register intack, neutered dog?!?

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Owning a dog in Invercargill is set to be more expensive from July 1, with prices rising from $69.50 to $80 or from $45 to $52.50 with a discount for dogs that have not previously come to the attention of the council.

That Invercargill POUND can't even keep dogs in !?

I have a problem with this.... " for dogs that have not previously come to the attention of the council." An un-substantiated complaint is deemed to 'come to the attention of the council' and therefore an elevated fee is required.... hum.....

lining the pockets of the council

From the CCC website

How does the Council spend my registration fee?

Funds collected from dog registration helps the Council have better control of Christchurch's dog population.

Registration fees can only be used for dog related services.

Benefits of registration may include:

Positive identification of your dog. So they know who to fine when your dog wanders

Re-uniting of lost or injured dogs with their owners. Yes, but they charge you for getting your dog back!

Better planning of dog control services through accurate population data. Oh really? So, Bexley gets more of a look-in than say, Merivale?!

Investigation and resolution of dog problems.

Educational programmes encouraging responsible dog ownership practices amongst young people. If this were working, why do family dogs still have the highest rate of dog bites?

Maintenance of the City Dog Shelter facilities for lost, injured, aged and young dogs. What an awful place for a dog!

Dog patrol services aimed at reducing wandering dogs and so reducing nuisance to the public. Actually, isn't the cost of recoving your dog from the pound pay for this?!

Encouragement of de-sexing through discounted registration. Oh! $10 discount ?! How does this help with "How does the Council spend my registration fee?"

Generous prompt registration concession for owners granted Responsible Dog Owner Status. How does this help with "How does the Council spend my registration fee?"

Provision of dog park areas where owners may exercise their dog/s in pleasant surroundings. I just wish that the dog parks were accessible for non-car owners. These parks are great, but again, they are far to get to. What about for those worried about carbon footprints?

Friendly advice in regard to dog ownership and property suitability. Why is it then that one feels on the back foot when you get a door knock from the Dog Pound Officer and he says 'this is a warning' but you see him sitting across the street in his van writing you out a fine?! And why is it when you want to go to court and dispute a ticket, you don't get your day.

Bylaws wreck Victor's day

An Invercargill dog's dreams of leaving his mark on The Southland Times have been dashed by a city council bylaw.

It is the 10th international Take Your Dog to Work Day today, but short of a commando-style operation dogs are not allowed in the inner city.

The Invercargill City Council designates the central business district and inner-city confines as no-dog zones with the exceptions of guidedogs, hearing dogs and police dogs.

An emotional beagle and self-confessed newshound, Victor was reportedly disappointed by the news.

Invercargill City Council director of environmental services William Watt said the council would not make any exemptions for Victor, or any other dog, no matter what day it was.

Isn't this sick! I just really resent this council telling us how to live our lives...
... the fact that dogs are an integrated part of SOME people's lives, and that it's been proven that having a dog reduces stress by increase your oxitocin levels. All over the States, they celebrate Bring your Dog to Work Day. What's wrong with New Zealand !?!

So how does the city council, who want people to live downtown, to revitalise the inner city, cope with this by-law? Why shouldn't they be allowed to own a dog.

Chipping discount riles dog owners

Long-time responsible dog owners should not need to microchip their dogs to merit a discount on the dog registration fee, say dog owners balking at an increase in their fees.

The Marlborough District Council has increased some dog registration fees, but is giving a price cut to "good owners" who have microchipped and neutered their pets.

Dog owner Anita Baucke believes it is unfair she has to microchip her elderly fox terrier Tina to be charged the lower fee and thinks being a long-time responsible dog owner should make her eligible for a reduction.

She's received a bill for $72 for Tina's registration. If the dog was microchipped it would be $48. It would cost $56.25 to microchip Tina. Mrs Baucke said she remembered paying about $50 last year,

She said she would not have a problem with microchipping Tina if the pet was a young dog, but Tina was nearly 13.

Mrs Baucke said there should be exceptions for dogs like Tina that were desexed and had never been in trouble with dog control.

"At her age, I don't know if she will be alive next year."

Mrs Baucke's neighbour Pat Dean also objected to microchipping her dog to qualify for the lower registration fees.

"With the cost of everything going up I don't think I can afford it." MORE>>

I wouldn't mind so much if I actually got VALUE for my dog registration fees. There's nothing. Nada, ziltch !

Just the city council lining their pockets... but they make us dog parks, I hear them say. Ya, only for those who have cars to get to them!

'Companion dog' class proposed

Dogs that allay owners' anxiousness may soon be classed as working dogs by the Marlborough District Council.

The new classification of companion dogs will mean the dogs can enter public places and will entitle the owner to lower registration fees.

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Three people are seeking the new category, with two requests from deaf people and the third from a person with acute anxiety and concerns for their personal safety.

Under the new classification, companion dogs would have the same benefits as disability-assist dogs, except they would not be allowed to enter restaurants and other premises from which dogs are normally banned for health reasons (as assist dogs can).

Marlborough District Council environmental protection legal officer Kaye McIlveney said companion dog applications would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. They would also need a letter of support from a disability assistance organisation or doctor.

Well, that's light at the end of the tunnel....

The trials of dogs

One of Peter Boyce's best trial dogs was Eve, a young bitch who was going to be shot until he climbed in and pulled her out of the farm tunnel she was in.

"She was raw material and it took a while to get her confidence. She had never had any real human contact. But she became one of my best trial dogs. I won my first open with her."

Mr Boyce has four dogs at the moment. Rose is 2, older sister Guide is 3 and a half, Man is 18 months, and Mist is a 5-month-old pup, who shows signs of wanting to work sheep too.

The dogs love him and work for him. He is a dog trialler of note, and has been both a competitor and a judge.

He recalls dog stories. .... MORE>>

SPCA hails NZ's longest jail sentence for animal cruelty

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He was also barred from owning an animal for 10 years.

Hurring admitted killing the dog, named Diesel and owned by a friend, by first trying to strangle it using a chain, his hands and his feet.

When the dog did not die after 30 minutes, he poured petrol down its throat, stuffed a pillow-case down its throat and finally hit it on the head with a spade.

The impact broke the dog's back and jaw, killing it.

The SPCA has hailed the sentence as the one it has been waiting for, after years of fighting for harsher sentences for people found guilty of extreme cruelty to animals. MORE>>

Runner turns his paws to a cause

Andrew Smith is putting his paws to the pavement to raise money for man's best friend.

The Wellington fitness trainer, formerly from Yorkshire, will run his first marathon on Sunday in a furry costume, with all proceeds going to the SPCA.

"I'm pretty optimistic, because I'm running it for the SPCA, so I've kind of got to do it. I'm sure there'll be plenty of jokes about stopping at every lamp-post, and nicking people's picnics." MORE>>

Why Poo? New Zealand's funniest place names

Lake Waikareiti in Te Urewera (singed genitals) National Park.
Photo: Oliver Strewe/Lonely Planet

It's hard to know what to make of a town called Why Poo.

Or a ski field with a name that seems to endorse sexual relations with one's parent.

You don't have to look far for quirky place names in New Zealand, thanks largely to the indigenous language, Maori.

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"Doggy Doo" Blitz By Wanganui District Council

19 June 2009 - Wanganui District Council's Animal Control team is planning a blitz during the next two months to encourage dog owners to deal with "doggy doo" in the appropriate manner.

Community Development Committee Chair Cr Ray Stevens recently raised the issue of some dog owners not disposing of doggy doo in the bins provided or taking it home to dispose of.

"Dog owners have many responsibilities under our Dog Control Bylaw - and picking up and disposing of their dogs' droppings is one of them," Cr Stevens said. MORE>>

This is dog poo in the dog park!

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"If exercise areas are to work and be accepted by the whole community then all dog owners must pick up their doggy doo. We will be monitoring the situation and hopefully this blitz will get the message through to those owners who are still not taking their responsibilities seriously."

The Wanganui District Council website (www.wanganui.govt.nz) has lots of information for dog owners including a Dog Owners Handbook, which contains information about all aspects of dog ownership and the locations of dog exercise areas in Wanganui.

Stitch in time saves SPCA pups

Chilly southerlies have sparked a knitting frenzy to protect homeless puppies and cats.

The outbreak of knit one purl one in the Kapiti-Horowhenua district which has New Zealand's highest ratio of over-60s has been a boon to SPCA staff.

The society's Kapiti manager Lloyd Warren said about 100 knitted puppy coats had been delivered. "They have turned up in the post, been left on the doorstep and dropped in. We've had a large number of puppies this year."

There was rare snow on the Kapiti Coast this month as temperatures fell to -4 degrees celsius in Paraparaumu and -3C in Levin.

Shelter assistant supervisor manager Tania Ward said the colourful striped jerseys had been dropped off by keen elderly knitters using up leftover wool. MORE>>

BREAKING NEWS House collapses in Auckland - two dead ... Read more Close Much remembered hotel dog dies

He began life among latte-sipping Aucklanders, took up residence in a fine hotel and is now immortalised in the minds of New Plymouth people.

Glengarry, the west highland terrier owned and loved by local restaurateur and hotelier Terry Parkes, died on Tuesday after 13 full years. Condolence messages have come from around the country and overseas.

Many talk of Glengarry's unconditional love; others mention the bond between pet and owner.

He lived at the Nice Hotel with Mr Parkes and used to sit in a front window. Central city workers who passed him every day had left flowers, cards and dog bones in a rock outside the hotel. "It was like a Princess Diana memorial," said Mr Parkes. MORE>>

Bravery award for dog attack rescuer

A Christchurch man who rescued a little girl from a savage dog attack has had his bravery recognised.

Aotea Coxon was just two when she was attacked by a staffordshire cross terrier in a park in 2007.Peter MacIntosh heard her screaming and struggled with the dog to free her.Aotea's facial injuries were so severe she needed 290 stitches. The Royal Humane Society awarded a certificate of merit, saying MacIntosh's actions undoubtedly saved Aotea's life.

Home, with a shaggy dog story to tell

If dogs could talk, little Aaliyah would say thank you. In her fruitful life, the black staffordshire has not only nursed a litter of chihuahua puppies and a litter of kittens, but more recently escaped a lonely death and had a name change.

After four months of roaming the streets, being impounded, saved and put through a course run by the Nelson charitable trust Ark, Aaliyah has been reunited with her grateful owners.

Aaliyah's family moved to Nelson from Queenstown last October, but soon after their loved pooch disappeared. After searching for a month, owners Toni Stewart and Ronald Prakash ran out of hope after hearing that a dog with a similar description had been re-homed by the SPCA.

About three months later,... MORE>>

Canine colleagues can create happy humans

Employers who allow their workers to bring their pet to the office now and then will benefit from having happier, healthier employees, says New Zealand’s leading pet care company.

The advice from Nestle Purina PetCare comes as the company looks ahead to celebrating the 10th annual international Take Your Dog to Work Day on 26 June. (www.takeyourdog.com) Purina New Zealand staff already bring pets to their Mt Wellington head office daily, and encourage other New Zealand businesses to seriously consider participating in the international event to promote better health in their employees.

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Schools call in police sniffer dogs to fight drug problems

.....Wainuiomata High School principal Rob Mill said there was a major issue with drugs at the school.

"I am feeling frustrated and desperate that despite all the warnings and opportunities for kids to seek support for their cannabis use, it just seems to be growing.

"It is destroying a number of students' lives," Mr Mill said.

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Apparently the dogs didn't find any marijuana... what a waste of money!

Hell, I would have thought that they'd prefer student smoke dope rather than P- meths! From what the media put out about Meths... you'd think you'd want your teenager to go for the lesser harmful drug.

New CYF worker: small, furry and here to stay

New CYF worker: small, furry and here to stay

She is a four-year-old Border Collie cross dog, her name is Tess, and she is now a permanent part of the staff at Child, Youth and Family’s care and protection residence in Wellington.

Tess has moved in to the residence full-time to support therapeutic interventions with the young people who live in the residence. She is thought to be the first pet to live-in full time like this in New Zealand.

The initiative is a first for the Wellington SPCA who are monitoring the placement closely to ensure that Tess is settling in well. “We spent a long time talking with Child, Youth and Family before we placed Tess in the residence. We took the time to find the right dog with the right temperament, when we found Tess we knew she would fit in great” says Nick Taylor, Wellington SPCA Animal Operations Manager.

Having a pet live-in full time, also known as ‘pet therapy’, has a number of benefits for the young people including helping them to build empathy and learn nurturing skills. Pet therapy has been used in settings such as hospitals and prisons for many years where the pets will visit for short periods. Tess is thought to be the first pet to live full-time.

“We’ve had to make a few changes around the residence to give Tess the space she needs, including a private space for when she needs time out” says Ross Barber, Residence Manager for Child, Youth and Family. MORE<>