Dog-owner licence idea gets thumbs down

A proposal to license dog owners along with their pets is unlikely to work, Nelson animal control and welfare officials say.

A major review of dog laws announced by Local Government Minister Rodney Hide this week is set to consider whether owners as well as their dogs should be licensed.

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Nelson SPCA inspector Craig Crowley said the biggest problem in dealing with owners was getting hold of unregistered dog owners.

"No matter what law you have in place, there will always be people who won't adhere to it."

Mr Crowley said the current law gave councils the power to issue fines on the spot, which not many other official organisations were able to do.

"I just don't think [licensing owners] adds to that. I can't see any benefit." MORE>>

More bureaucracy.