Rotorua supports ICC killing pups

The Invercargill City Council has won support from its counterparts for destroying six rottweiler-bull terrier puppies last week, with one council saying it would have made the same call.

Well, well, well... another council who could use an invitation to listen to Dr Ian Dunbar- He is coming to Auckland and talking about dog aggression !! More info: dogstar.doglinks.co.nz

I would like to know if they did a temperament test for the puppies... something similar like on

http://www.workingdogs.com/testing_volhard.htm And if they did, who administered it?

Figures from several local authorities showed the Invercargill council had a higher rate of euthanising dogs than most but a similar rate to the Rotorua District Council.

This says that they need similar education on dog behaviour

Last year, the Invercargill council impounded about 500 dogs and destroyed about half, while the Rotorua District Council impounded 2000 and destroyed about 900 (45 per cent).

Rotorua District Council animal control supervisor Kevin Coutts said he would have taken the same action as the Invercargill council when it destroyed the pups based on the notion they would become dangerous. "Rottweilers are used by the army and security companies to attack people and pitbulls are trained to attack other dogs it's quite a combo," Mr Coutts said.

Perhaps the city councils in New Zealand who think that killing pups based on their breed should take some lessons from Calgary, Canada

"The responsible pet owner program in Calgary is based on four principles: licensing and permanently identifying the pet, spaying or neutering, properly socializing and taking care of the animal’s health and not allowing the pet to become a nuisance to the community.

“We don’t need a lot of complicated laws or take measures like banning breeds. We don’t limit how many animals you can have. We just hold you to those four principles.” says the Calgary City Council.

"I was very impressed with the stance of (Invercargill Mayor) Tim Shadbolt the other night. He's done a lot of other councils a very big favour."

Now we're in trouble!

(...)

"If someone can display good knowledge and behaviour, as an owner, for two years then they get a 40 per cent reduction on their ($80) dog registration. It's good incentive to be a good owner."

Mr Shadbolt said he would be open to discussing the Dunedin initiatives at his meeting with SPCA representatives in Invercargill next week.

That's a beginning ! Glad to hear that Tim is coming to his senses...

He was not surprised by the stance of the other councils, after the Invercargill council's proposed change for dangerous dogs to be destroyed immediately if they attacked a person received great support at the local government conference last month, he said.

Trigger happy...

DESTROYING DOGS: Auckland City Council: Impounded: 2128 dogs. Destroyed: 629 (29 per cent) Christchurch City Council: Impounded: 1657. Destroyed: 266 (16 per cent)

It might be that Christchurch is in the unique position of having Dogwatch... Check their website. When the Dog Pound Officers know that a dog coming into their care can be potentially rehomed (yes, puppies too), they tell Dogwatch, and Dogwatch houses them until the dogs find a home-- hence the low kill rate.

Dunedin City Council: Impounded: 769. Destroyed: 86 (11 per cent) Rotorua District Council: Impounded: (about) 2000. Destroyed: 900 (45 per cent) Invercargill City Council: Impounded: (about) 500. Destroyed: 250 (50 per cent)
*2008 figures