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?!?

....

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.