New Zealand Dog News

Rhys itching to sniff out deadly ants

2011-12-21T19:55:00.000+13:00

New Zealand's first ant-sniffing canine is training for battle against hordes of Argentine invaders.

Local biosecurity experts hope Welsh springer spaniel Rhys Jones will soon hunt Argentine ants.

"He's about halfway through his training and he's ticking all the boxes," said Auckland Council biosecurity manager Jack Craw.

The dog's trainer, Brian Shields, said Argentine ants were notorious for attacking native bird species. "They suck the eyeballs out and eat [the birds] from the inside out," Shields said. MORE>>

Dog 'days from death' now thriving

2011-12-09T11:07:00.001+13:00

A dog that was days from death is recovering well after being rescued by the SPCA - and members of the public can continue the trend by keeping their eyes and ears open to animal cruelty.

In mid-October the SPCA was alerted by a member of the public to Cassie - a dog that was malnourished and dehydrated after not being fed for weeks.

SPCA Auckland chief inspector Vicki Border estimates she was just three days from death.

"Someone had just tied her up and left her to die.

"It's been years since I've seen a case of neglect this serious."

Cassie was removed from the property and received emergency medical treatment at the SPCA Auckland Animal Village.

Border says the first few days were touch and go but 21 days later Cassie was "like a different dog".

"I had to carry her in here that first day - she was so weak she could barely stand.

"Now she is out enjoying daily walks and running around in the local park." MORE>>

Kids learn how to stay safe around dogs

2011-12-09T10:34:00.002+13:00

new educational show initiated by Auckland Council has helped ensure thousands of young Auckland children know how to stay safe around dogs.

Safety with Sammy and Patch is a 30-minute musical show developed by Kids 4 Drama for Auckland Council, which has been performed live to more than 30,000 Year 1, 2 and 3 children in the North Shore, Rodney and Waitakere regions over the past few months.

Auckland Council Northern Licensing and Compliance Manager Rosemary Hagg says Aucklanders' safety is one of council's top priorities and Safety with Sammy and Patch is a proactive step towards increasing awareness and improving safety.

"The show teaches young children some important dog safety messages, using a high-energy, interactive format featuring a tailor-made storyline and engaging and educational theme songs."

Ms Hagg says feedback on Safety with Sammy and Patch, which has been performed for almost 32,000 children and more than 1000 teachers and support staff in the north and west of Auckland, has been overwhelmingly positive.

The key dog safety messages of the show include:

If it's not your own, leave it alone
If you get approached by a stray dog don't run or scream - stand like a statue
If a dog knocks you to the ground, curl up like a rock.

During the show children are also educated about how to safely 'meet' a dog and are given general dog safety tips, including being advised to leave an eating or sleeping dog alone and to avoid running or screaming around dogs.

250 take part in Wellington santa run

2011-12-09T10:32:00.000+13:00

Dog owners get rough end of stick

2011-12-09T10:31:00.000+13:00

Dog owners want a better deal for their pets, as the length of time dogs are banned from beaches stretches every year.

Restrictions are imposed during daylight saving. But as those hours have been extended over the years so, too, has dogs' freedom to walk on Auckland beaches - either on or off leashes.

The rules vary across seven regions encompassing the former councils. At Milford on the North Shore, for example, dogs cannot be on the beach between 10am and 6.30pm. In Rodney, it's 9am to 7pm, likewise in Manukau.

Jill Parsons walks her dogs, Amber and Rani, along Milford Beach, their bushy tails swishing in unison.

"Isn't this wonderful," says Mrs Parsons, looking along the beach to where a sprightly black spoodle trots towards us and a Siberian husky frolics in the shallows. MORE>>

Post-quake 'family' set to be parted again

2011-11-29T17:29:00.000+13:00

A Christchurch student and single mother are heartbroken at the thought of having to put down her two canine companions.

Sharon McBride was forced to move out of her rented Somerfield home after it was damaged in the September 2010 and February earthquakes.

She had moved seven times since the quakes and had been unable to find an affordable rental house in the city that would allow her to keep her two dogs.

The dogs had stayed at a boarding kennel in Rangiora for the past three months, but McBride had been told she would have to rehouse them by Thursday or they could have to be euthanised. MORE>>

Animal lover bequeaths estate proceeds to charity

2011-11-29T17:28:00.000+13:00

A Rotorua woman has bequeathed proceeds from the sale of her home to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) Guide Dog Services and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The late Nita Paterson, who passed away in August, dedicated her life to the welfare and care of animals.

Her great nephew Kevin Stanley said his earliest memories of his 'Great Aunt Nita' were of her numerous adopted dogs which she rescued and cared for at her Mangakakahi home.

Mr Stanley said: "Nita spent much of the 1980s volunteering her time with the SPCA. Her last pet dog, Ted, passed on when Nita was 84, and she reluctantly realised she could no longer care for any more pets adequately." MORE>>

Dog dispute may go to High Court

2011-11-29T17:27:00.000+13:00

A battle between neighbouring dog lovers has escalated to one couple threatening High Court legal action.

Bob and Gay Renshaw have appealed against complaints being pursued by the Kapiti Coast District Council that their dogs, six-year-old labrador Lou and eight- year-old samoyed Kayla, are causing a noise disturbance barking in the neighbourhood.

Mr Renshaw admits that, for a while, they had four dogs, but since September have had only two, under council regulations all that is permitted on an urban section before a special licence is needed.

All up, the Renshaws say they have spent about $1000 to comply with the regulations, including forking out for bark collars, obedience training and building a fence. MORE>>

Man seeks mayor's help on dog issues

2011-11-23T20:47:00.000+13:00

An Invercargill chihuahua owner has asked Mayor Tim Shadbolt to put policies in place so big dogs stop terrorising little dogs in the city's parks and reserves.

So... council is supposed to put a law to control big dogs! and how about a policy to control kids?

Nigel Murch has written to Mr Shadbolt expressing his concern about the lack of control some dog owners have over their canines.

How, oh how, did this become a story, and printed in a newspaper (with photo?)
PS. it only becomes clear at the end of this article.

Mr Murch and his family own "three beautiful little chihuahuas" and regularly walk them along the Waihopai flood bank. Large dogs off their leashes had scared their little dogs three times and he has had enough.
Mr Murch yelled at the big dogs that jumped at his chihuahuas but sometimes he got abused by their owners, he said.

It is clear that Mr Murch doesn't understand the need for dogs to say hello. Yelling at dogs is like a bark to a dog. Barking takes on many meanings.
And for a human to use their voice... Does he use his voice (bark) in a high pitch or a low pitch? Does Mr Murch get in between both dogs? Does he allow his dog to be in front of him while he is barking commands?

If so, here's what the dog might think... the dog is in front of the owner feeling the need to DEFEND his owner because the owner is barking. Dog might interpret Mr Murch's bark like this: "Help, get that dog away from me, I'm scared" So the little dog has to defend the big dog (his human) BUT there's more... the big dog (human) scoops him up making him even more determined to 'scare' the other dogs away.

Queens Park and Donovan Park were other areas where owners let their big dogs roam and "terrorise" little dogs and their owners, with Mr Murch yesterday recounting one unnerving encounter between his chihuahuas and a rottweiler.

Yes, this is true! little dogs fair better with other little dogs, however I also know of little dogs terrorising big dogs too! It's the nature of being a dog!

"Chihuahuas don't handle it too well when being ambushed and blindsided by big dogs so I scoop them up," he said.

I'd like to know how many big dogs he's talking about? 1 big dog, 2 big dogs? Scooping your dog up tells your dog that there is something to be afraid of !! You are causing the very problem that you are trying to solve!

"It's unfair that wee dogs get targeted by big dogs and you can't chance that they aren't going to eat our wee dogs."

EAT YOUR DOG !! wow! dogs eating dogs... hum...

In his letter to Mr Shadbolt, Mr Murch suggested having honorary dog control officers walking the parks, saying he would be happy to become one.

Oh Heavens.. he'd like to become a dog control officer... oh, I can see him now.. he'd be issuing fines right, left, and centre! God help us from the well-intentioned!

He asked Mr Shadbolt whether cameras could be installed on the Waihopai flood banks to catch out irresponsible dog owners and suggested setting aside a particular section of the city for small dogs and another section for large dogs.

Oh, installing cameras to spy on dog owners! That is a lot of money to see if small dogs are being scooped up by their owners! Who's going to watch the footage? how do you identify the dog? Do you bring them to court? Will there be court costs? Will CAT OWNERS want to pay for these cameras? Would non dog-owners want their taxes spent on this?

"I can see a large dog attacking and either maiming or killing a little dog or person," his letter says.

Can you now. So how many dog attacks have there been up to now?
I've been bitten by little dogs too! They've got teeth !

In his correspondence to the mayor, Mr Murch also raises the problem of dog poo.

"The amount of large clumps of poo is from big dogs, as little ones don't leave big turds.

Oh my oh my...

"I carry plastic bags and clean up after our dogs but others do not, the flood bank is littered with poos at the moment," he says.

Perhaps it's human waste!

Mr Shadbolt said his office had made the council's dog control staff aware of Mr Murch's concerns regarding the issues raised.

"It might not be a bad idea to have the tiny breeds in one space and the rottweilers and pitbulls on another track," he said.

I do not have a problem with a dog trail for smaller dogs and bigger dogs, but let's face it. Mr Murch is a breedíst (like racist for humans). He doesn't like rottweilers and pitbulls. They aren't the only Big Dogs around! Labradors, German Shepherds, Border Collies are all big-- but he picks on the so-called dogs that have a bad rap. Let's call a spade a spade Mr Murch!

Mr Murch's call for some mayoral assistance follows the decision by the city council this week to review its dog control policy.

And who, may I ask, will the council get their expert advice from?

A council focus group will be formed to deal with issues such as defining walking tracks where dogs must be kept on leads and dealing with dog-fouling issues in the city's parks and reserves.

There are more than 7000 registered dog owners in Invercargill and Bluff.... yes, 7000 dogs x $82.00 registration fee = $574,000

That's around half a million dollars a year that council gets to make sure that dogs are well looked after... If only 10% of the fee goes into research around our best friend, that would benefit all citizens of Invercargill!

Canine carnage follows children's prank

2011-11-23T17:15:00.002+13:00

School children playing a prank are being blamed for the carnage that followed when a gate was left open and three rottweilers got loose.
It resulted in two injured dogs, three other dogs being destroyed, and veterinary bills totalling $3150.
One rottweiler, Snoop, has already been put down and a Christchurch District Court judge today ordered the destruction of the other two, Zephyr and Minx. MORE>>

Dog-food maker seeks $2.5m

2011-11-21T22:25:00.001+13:00

Christchurch raw dog-food manufacturer, K9 Natural, the fastest-growing manufacturer in the country according to Deloitte, is seeking to raise $2.5 million from new investors.

The Christchurch company has grown from a small business with $650,000 of sales to $5m turnover and to 22 staff in the past three years through an export focus. The United States, Canada, Japan and Hong Kong are its main overseas markets.

The almost 800 per cent growth in the past three years has won K9 the accolade of the fifth-fastest growing business in the Deloitte New Zealand's Fast 50 in 2011 and the fastest growing manufacturer in the country. MORE>>

Keeping fit with your furry best friend

2011-11-21T21:01:00.001+13:00

Next time you walk past a dog owner scooping up after their pet on the street, save the smug smile. Dog owners are healthier - both mentally and physically - than people without canine companions.

Grant Schofield, director of AUT's Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, said he had done research into the health of dog owners and found that people with a four-legged friend were likely to be fitter. "Having a dog helps you be more active."

But he said the simple fact of just owning a dog would not do any good. A handbag-sized chihuahua would have limited benefit beyond the mental perks of having a companion to pat and chat to. "It needs to be a medium or large dog." MORE>>

Dog killed after attacking four people

2011-11-21T21:00:00.002+13:00

A teenage girl and three adults in their 60s were attacked by a dog in South Auckland this morning, forcing a police officer to shoot it.

A police spokesman said the attack happened on Elmdon St, Mangere, at 10.30am.

"Police responded to a call that a teenage girl had been bitten and on arrival the dog was still behaving aggressively," a Counties Manukau police spokesman said. MORE>>

A furry merry Christmas

2011-11-19T21:02:00.005+13:00

....

"Christmas is about the pets," said Gayla McCarthy, 58, of Kekaha, Hawaii, whose Australian shepherd, Echo, will find a toy under the tree. McCarthy even got a shirt for her husband as a gift to him from the dog, and she'll be giving collapsible bowls that she ordered online to all their friends' dogs.

Although the average budget for pet gifts among those surveyed was US$46, 72 per cent said they'd spend US$30 or less. Those who bought gifts for their pets last year said they spent US$41 on average.

Income makes a difference. Those making US$50,000 or more say they plan to spend an average of US$57 on their pets. MORE>>

Risk-takers not put off by failure

2011-11-19T12:21:00.000+13:00

Louise O'Sullivan was looking for day care for her beloved pooch. Searching in her neighbourhood on Auckland's North Shore, she couldn't find anywhere suitable to leave her dog during the day while she worked as a corporate senior manager in the city.
Anyone else would probably just have found something in another location. But for O'Sullivan, it was the beginning of a process which led to an exciting new career path.
Now, two-and-a-half years down the track, O'Sullivan tells the story of how she established DogHQ, her day-care centre for dogs.
People like O'Sullivan, who spot and seize an opportunity, are different to most of us. Psychologists such as John Krumboltz, the father of Planned Happenstance theory, believes "serendipity is not serendipitous but rather it is ubiquitous: everywhere". MORE>>

Canine cuisine a hit with pampered pooches

2011-11-19T12:16:00.000+13:00

Wellington cafe culture is going to the dogs, with one business unveiling a designer canine menu – complete with doggoccinos and pupsicles.

Beach Babylon in Oriental Pde began catering for its new breed of customers during the weekend with dog beds, hooks for leashes and specially crafted canine beer.

The alcoholic concoction of beef stock mixed with Tuatara draught beer is strictly "R18 months" and is served in a stainless steel bowl.
Manager Simon Holtham has taste tested the menu, which he says is fit for human consumption.
MORE>>

At least 65 dogs in a year poisoned by 1080 in New Zealand

2011-11-19T12:15:00.000+13:00

....
This finding contrasts sharply with what our Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) claimed in its reassessment of 1080 poison in 2007. According to ERMA "Controls in place to ensure dogs are not exposed are adequate"

It also makes nonsense of the claim made this June by our Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (Dr Jan Wright) that only 8 dogs have been reported killed in New Zealand by 1080 poison since 2007. Dr Wright quoted only the number of dogs in incidents reported to ERMA about 1080 operations. The “8 dogs” figure is clearly a gross misrepresentation of the actual number of dogs killed. This is just one of a large number of misleading statements in her report on 1080, which is heavily biased towards its use, as was the ERMA reassessment.
Read MORE>>

Miniature horses mauled by dogs

2011-11-17T17:16:00.000+13:00

A Christchurch horse owner is distraught after her miniature horses were savaged in their paddock by two dogs.
Nicola Bean said five of her horses had to by treated by a vet after the attack yesterday afternoon.
''I got a phone call saying there was two dogs attacking the horses so I raced to the paddock and when I got there, it just just carnage,'' she said.
''There was blood everywhere and the horses were so distressed and I just felt sick, it was just so horrible to see.''
The paddock sits off Linwood Ave behind the crematorium.
Bean said a neighbour had heard the attack and scared the dogs off.
''He [the neighbour] said the dogs looked like a staffie cross and a labrador cross but apparently the lab wasn't the one doing the damage. He saw the staffie hanging off one of the horse's noses...it's just horrific.''

And if we lived in the United States, it would have been coyotes...

But in New Zealand, we have dogs that do this. The difference between a coyote and a dog is that a dog is also a companion to us and easy game for people to lump all dogs!

There aren't many prey animals in NZ, and aren't you glad otherwise we'd be horrified about coyotes, mountain lions, wolves...

Remember, 350 000 dogs never bite anyone today!

Owner must pay $1600 for dog attack

2011-11-17T17:07:00.000+13:00

The owner of a dangerous dog was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $600 to an 80-year-old woman the dog attacked.
The woman was badly bitten and took eight weeks to physically recover, the Christchurch District Court was told today in a session at the Nga Hau e Wha marae.
The woman was on a walking track near Wilsons Road when the pet Alsatian left the owner’s property and bit her on the arm and leg. MORE>>

Cesar Millan shares his tips

2011-11-11T15:28:00.000+13:00

This last part of the article is what I like the best. Read the article here

And Millan believes this balance can be found in every dog - even those breeds that have been banned in countries like New Zealand. He says it is not the breed, but the owner's leadership that is the problem.

"You are dealing with a powerful breed and an uneducated human. You have problems with little dogs, it's just a smaller scale of power," he says.

"Aggression is not the problem; it's the outcome of a problem...that's just the symptom, a side effect. So as we have problems with kids, we have problems with dogs. Everybody wants trust, everybody wants respect, everybody wants love but the only way you can obtain it is if you behave honestly, you have integrity and you show loyalty.

"I don't see a dog as a student; I see a dog as a teacher."

CS does want the best for the dog, and I do hope that his association with the likes of positive dog trainers like Dr Ian Dunbar, and Bob Bailey has rubbed off on him. Don't watch his earlier shows... it's full of old methods of dog training that were used 50 years ago. CM is slowly getting it !! using positive reinforcement is much better for learning, as opposed to punitive.

There's a place where dogs match bags

2011-11-11T15:17:00.000+13:00

OPINION: It's true that travel broadens the mind. The downside is post- travel triste.

It takes time to readjust to a country - your own - where people are nagged about saving the planet when at the other, densely populated end of the planet, consumption of everything naughty carries on happily.
Outside it may be chilly, but inside every building the heat is tropical. Europeans don't expect to freeze the way we do.

There are dogs: different dogs. They say Paris is coated in their poo, but that's untrue. They sit up in restaurants next to their owners, which I like to see, better behaved than most children, especially most New Zealand children.

Ours expect to charm the pants off everyone with their chubby, jam-covered mitts while their parents take a desperate break.

I liked the little dogs carried in handbags by women of a certain age with Hermes scarves draped around their shoulders. If only children could be relied on to look as chic.MORE>>

Porirua dog-poo bylaw may be binned

2011-11-09T08:29:00.000+13:00

Porirua's much-mocked Pooper Scooper Bylaw could be dumped.

The bylaw was introduced five years ago in a bid to force dog owners to carry a device, such as a plastic bag, to pick up their pooch's mess.

However, questions have been raised over enforcement of the rule, as dog rangers do not have the power to search people's pockets for a device or force them to display the contents of their pockets.

No-one has received a $300 fine for failing to carry a pooper scooper and the council has no intention of coming down hard on perpetrators should the bylaw be retained.

The preferred option, put to the Porirua City Council committee yesterday, is to keep the bylaw as it stands. However, a decision will not be made until the public have their say next month.

Deputy Mayor Liz Kelly criticised the bylaw when it was introduced but could now see the value of retaining it as it had put pressure on dog owners to be seen to do the right thing.

"It would be fair to say that I actually thought that it would be superfluous," she said.

"Honestly, when we got the papers I said, `Are you for real, is this really a bylaw or are you just trying to see if we're paying attention?"'

Mrs Kelly said she would advocate for dog-poo disposal bins to be installed throughout the city. -- now isn't that a better way of managing the environment.

Environment and Regulatory Services general manager David Rolfe said the bylaw was a successful educational tool as it had placed the onus on dog owners to be prepared. How about EDUCATION instead of ENFORCEMENT?

He said it was more effective than an earlier bylaw which made it illegal for dogs to defecate in public places. "It's a subtle change by putting social pressure on dog owners," he said. BUT,,, it was ALWAYS dog owners who had to pick it up?! it's called 'dog responsibility'

Most local councils have a similar bylaw but it is very difficult to prosecute as rangers must catch the dog in the act.

Now they are called 'rangers' -- never heard of this word being used here?!?

It is illegal for dog owners in Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt to leave their dog's mess in a public place, but they do not have to carry a pooper scooper on them.

Wellington City Council ditched a proposal in 2009 to force dog owners to carry pooper scoopers.

Mr Rolfe said the council visits Porirua's 3822 dog owners each year to explain the need to carry a pooper scooper, and other dog control rules.

"We don't intend to carry out more enforcement but it's there should we wish to use it." It's the same stupid way of thinking--- I'll just keep this old bit of junk in my garage... I might use it.

If you haven't used it in three years, throw it out!

No-one had complained about the bylaw, but residents had called the council to dob in dirty dog owners, who were then spoken to by rangers, Mr Rolfe said.

here's that word again... rangers. American word for people who work in a state park, park rangers.

MORE>>

Aussie trainer has tips on dogs

2011-11-09T08:20:00.000+13:00

Gary Jackson has trained 20,000 dogs and dog control officers and the Marlborough public have been reaping the benefit.

The Australian dog training expert was in Blenheim last week for a conference and on Friday morning the public watched a demonstration on the Taylor River bank on how to test if a dog is docile enough to go to a new home.

Mr Jackson runs Multi National K9, a specialist dog training company in Queensland.

He was a guest speaker for the New Zealand Institute of Animal Control Officers Conference at the Marlborough Convention Centre on Thursday and Friday.

The demonstration on Friday morning showed how to tell whether a dog would be dangerous, while on Thursday morning he gave animal control officers tips to make their job safer. It was "how to avoid getting attacked by a dog and how to handle dogs without being bit," he said.

There were some golden rules like never run but mostly it was understanding dogs and how to reduce or redirect their aggression, he said. A tennis ball or some dog roll went a long way, he said.

There were many different techniques that worked well when used together, he said.

MORE>>

Sheepdogs come to town

2011-10-26T19:49:00.000+13:00

The sight of a working dog patiently herding sheep into a pen is something New Zealanders are well used to.

Visitors to Auckland got the chance to see it for themselves just a stone's throw from the city centre.

The TUX NZ Sheep Dog Trial Association Trans Tasman Test Series was held at Auckland Domain, giving city folk a chance to see the competition on their back doorstep for the first time.

Muddy conditions last Wednesday didn't bother the canine competitors though wet weather does make the sheep sluggish and difficult to work. MORE>>

Dogs have their day at festival's PAW contest

2011-10-25T22:25:00.000+13:00

Dogs dressed as All Blacks, book characters and celebrities paraded in front of thousands of people at Bluebridge Family Finale at Founders Heritage Park yesterday.

The finale of the Nelson Arts Festival, which began on October 7, featured the annual Pet Art Wear (PAW) competition and a ukulele sing-along, as well as special guests Newtown Rock Steady and family entertainment.

Nelson City Council festival director Sophie Kelly said about 3000 people attended the finale – slightly fewer than previous years.

"That's OK. It was a really lovely day and everybody was very laidback and cruisy.

"It's such a nice way to finish the festival."

PAW compere Hans Andersen said the standard of entries was the highest he had ever seen.

MORE>>

Concerns raised over new pound

2011-10-24T11:04:00.000+13:00

Hundreds of stray dogs in Dunedin could soon be targeted by a private operator on a "seek-and-destroy mission", a Dunedin city councillor fears.

The concern was raised yesterday by Cr Richard Thomson, a dog-lover, after it was confirmed the Otago SPCA would cease housing stray dogs caught by the council's animal control team.

Otago SPCA chairwoman Sharon Lont wrote to the council last month to advise the existing dog pound on its property was no longer consistent with the SPCA's nationwide "saving lives" programme.

The programme sought to rehouse - rather than euthanise - as many animals as possible, and the perception was healthy animals were being euthanised at the Dunedin pound, she said.

The issue was raised at this week's community development committee meeting, council development services manager Kevin Thompson saying the council had one year to find a new operator to run a pound or build one of its own. MORE>>

Poet's guide dog changes her life

2011-10-24T11:02:00.000+13:00

A good day in Michele Leggott's life is when she doesn't have to think about going blind. Olive, "a big drippy golden retriever with a look of `hi everybody' on her face", does that.

A former poet laureate and academic, Leggott's degenerative eye disease, retinitis pigmentosa, is rapidly taking her sight.

(...)

Olive transformed her life. "They hand over fully trained Rolls-Royce dogs to someone who cannot drive them," she says.

A trainer with a lead on the dog shared the walks, until, one day, he quietly slipped his lead off. Leggott says it was like a dad letting go of the bike carrier when teaching a child to ride.

"The labradors and retrievers and the labrador-retriever-cross are the kind of Toyota of the fleet," she says. "They are good, easy to train, incredibly reliable. The alsatians and the poodles are the sports cars – highly strung, wonderful – but high performance cars and dogs, they take a lot of training, they reward you but they are high maintenance."

MORE>>

Dog ban saddens owners

2011-10-13T19:09:00.001+13:00

A ban on dogs in Takaka's shopping area is getting some dog owners irate.

The ban, under a Tasman District Council Dog Control Bylaw, has been in place for many years, but some dog owners say the bylaw is "too strict" and they should be permitted to walk their dogs on a leash through town.

But the situation is unlikely to change any time soon. Golden Bay Community Board chairwoman Carolyn McLellan said a survey by the board two years ago found the "majority" of people were against permitting dogs in the central shopping area.

"There are many cafes with tables outside and retailers put clothes rails outside their stores.

"We've had dogs eating food off tables and dogs lifting up their leg and urinating on clothes. We've had dogs urinating on the Village Green and then an hour later children are sitting on the grass having a picnic," Carolyn said.

She also highlighted the issue that some children and older people were afraid of dogs. MORE>>

This is a management problem... you can't just ban dogs!

Fat people and animals make our nights exciting

2011-10-10T06:33:00.000+13:00

OPINION: TV's getting really good, isn't it?

Until recently, there weren't nearly enough shows about the obese on television. Now I think it's safe to say that there are. The newest discourse on the spate of obesity Westerners inflict on themselves, Embarrassing Fat Bodies, is brought to us by state-owned broadcaster TVNZ. This show combines all the fun of reveling in the misfortune of others with the thrill of discovering what ecosystems really lurk beneath a truly fat person's folds. Now we know.

(...)

There are also plenty of reality shows, many proudly home-grown in New Zealand, just like a crop of truly excellent marijuana. There's Dog Patrol, which is about dog patrols, and Animal Patrol, which involves both animals and patrolling. However, given this tendency to name shows after their content, Animal Patrol might more correctly be called "Council Staff Take Neglected Pitbulls From Low-Lifes in Otara."

MORE>>

So true...

Dog owners should be tested for competency - board chair

2011-10-04T22:56:00.001+13:00

Upper Harbour Local Board chair Brian Neeson says dog owners should undergo a competency test to prove they are responsible enough to look after their pet.Auckland Council is currently drafting its new dog control bylaws and is expected to consider a licensing requirement for owners, who have more than one dog.Mr Neeson, a former National Party MP told Nine to Noon the bylaws need to be updated and upgraded to ensure dog owners are competent.He said responsible dog owners would have no reason to fear registration or competency tests.Mr Neeson also said dog control officers currently don't have enough power to do their job effectively.Listen to more from Brian Neeson on Nine to Noon

Charity walk: Puss in Boots move over

2011-09-23T23:56:00.002+12:00

Walking all the way around the South Island with a dog wearing shoes is proving a novel way to raise money for the Cancer Society.Mike Butler and his Border collie Rapid (right) - accompanied in the photo by occasional companion kelpie Ella - journeyed from Queenstown to Cromwell yesterday. Looking chirpy considering it was the 44th day of his hike, Mr Butler (59) said he MORE>>

UK pet expert calls for canine friendly city

2011-09-18T12:59:00.001+12:00

An international 'urban pet' expert is coming to Christchurch to advise authorities on how to create a more dog-friendly city in the wake of the earthquakes.

Stephen Jenkinson, a pet behaviorist from Scotland, will speak how the needs of dogs and pet owners must be incorporated into the rebuilding of the disaster-hit city.

He has been invited to "enable informed discussion" on urban dogs post-quakes.

Mr Jenkinson, who describes himself as a consultant specialising in dogs and access management issues, said: "It's a tragedy what has happened to Christchurch, and without any disrespect to the 181 people who lost their lives, I believe we can salvage something good out of this, because it's so rare to have such a blank canvas to work from."

He said that the emphasis on dogs has gone up the political agenda in the UK, with research showing that "well-designed, well-placed and welcoming" places for dogwalkers, provides many social benefits.

Mr Jenkinson said: "If we provide good spaces, dog owners don't go to places where there is livestock or native animals and can prove more troublesome.

"By planning and providing new spaces, articularly around new home developments, dog owners are more responsible, they feel much more part of the community, and the whole thing is a lot more positive."I want to give some ideas of what we've been doing in the UK so they can apply them in the rebuilding of Christchurch."

Mr Jenkinson will speak at a public meeting on September 26 at Cashmere Library, in the Sydenham Room, at 7pm.

He added: "I'm honoured to have this opportunity to speak to, not just dog owners, but local councillors and council representatives.

"Good management of spaces for walkers with dogs, is good for everybody - people who like dogs, people who don't, livestock owners, and wildlife bodies."

MORE>>

In Defence of Dogs Audio

2011-09-17T13:01:00.000+12:00

John Bradshaw, author of 'In Defence of Dogs: Why Dogs Need Our Understanding' and the foundation director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol in England. He has devoted the last 25 years to studying the domestic dog and his best-selling book is described as a major rethink about the way we understand dogs.

'No regrets' after being helpful goes too far

2011-09-15T21:29:00.003+12:00

A Christchurch man and his massive dog put their lives on hold to help the broken city after the February 22 earthquake.

Sean Scully, 37, and his 86-kilogram Irish wolfhound Guinness worked obsessively after the quake, helping residents in Christchurch's shattered eastern suburbs. But his obsession came at a personal cost.

After rallying hardware stores and friends in the North Island, he soon found himself leading a fleet of Bobcats and handing out 800 shovels, 200 wheelbarrows and 1100 bottles of water.

Scully worked 12-hour days in the east for three weeks while Guinness, known as the earthquake dog, carried children on his back around silt-laden streets.

Scully helped clear thousands of tonnes of silt from hundreds of properties, but said his determination to help took a personal toll on his life, and he needed hospital treatment for exhaustion. MORE>>

Shedding kilos a challenge for chow-loving canine

2011-09-14T20:35:00.000+12:00

A clinically obese two-year-old chow chow is battling the bulge.

Louie, affectionately known as Mu-mu, could have been a canine poster boy for a biggest loser contest after shedding 15 per cent of his body weight in just four months.

But yesterday the chubby chow disappointed his vet and left his owner "gutted" when he tipped the scales at a hearty 37.7 kilograms – more than 2kg heavier than his last weigh-in.

"This boy needs to cut back," said vet Geoff Mehrtens.

Since a rotund 40kg Mu-mu was classed as clinically obese in March he has been on a strict dry-food diet and had lost almost 5kg of puppy fat.

North Canterbury owner Katie Carville said she was "very proud" of her big boy – until a reluctant Mu-mu was dragged on to the scales yesterday.

"I am just gutted. I thought he was doing so well," she said.MORE>>

This owner only went to vets with her dog because she thought that the dog has some medical problem because he wouldn't walk up the stairs. She didn't even know that her dog was obese !!!

How can you NOT know ?!?

Man charged after dog shot in head

2011-09-14T20:32:00.002+12:00

A 24-year-old Christchurch man has been charged after a dog was found alive with bullet wounds to the head.
The dog was found on the bank of the Waimakariri River at West Melton on August 6. It had been shot three times in the head.
It later had to be put down because of its injuries.
MORE>>

Touch, paws, engage ...

2011-09-13T00:07:00.000+12:00

World Cup fever is spreading across the nation and even the four-legged rugby fans are getting in on the act.

Pixie the dog showed some real skill during at outing on the rugby pitch at Riverton, giving the crew from Wanaka-based Sunshine Video and Design a real eyeful.

Between the cutsie pooch and and the equally cutsie rugby players who have been wandering around the streets of Invercargill lately, this is shaping up to be one of the most visually stunning sports events for a long, long time.

Elmo pulls a 705kg class-load of kids

2011-09-07T20:52:00.000+12:00

Elmo had a heavy start to the morning - he pulled a class-load of Christchurch 10-year-olds, packed onto a trailer, around a playground.

The Alaskan Malamute competes in weight pulls around the South Island, and the 705 kilograms he shifted this morning was nothing compared to his 1005kg record.

Cathedral Grammar School year 4 and 5 pupils were surprised and excited by his visit.

''I never expected to be pulled by a dog on a trailer,'' Alice Abraham, 10, said.

''And I never expected to be on TV at the same time.'' Nine-year-old George Lill said the experience was ''quite spectacular''. ''I couldn't believe a dog pulled us - I didn't think it would.'' Grammar principal Malcolm Long said it was a morning that would go down in the school's history.

''It's amazing. The children are so excited.'' Elmo declined to comment to media, ahead of a competition in Timaru in the coming weeks.

MORE>>

Canadian musher city girl who went to dogs

2011-08-27T16:57:00.002+12:00

Canadian long-distance sled dog musher Karen Ramstead never imagined she would throw away her job as manager of a bone china shop and go to the dogs.

(...)

Now a veteran of nine Iditarod races and a guest and race marshall for this week's New Zealand Sled Dog Championships at the Snow Farm, Mrs Ramstead laughs at the transformation dogs have brought to her previously pet-less world.

She was the first woman to complete the gruelling 1760km Iditarod race and now spends three months in Alaska every year as well as racing throughout the United States and Canada.

"This is really outside the path I expected to lead in my life," she said at the Snow Farm near Wanaka yesterday.

Unlike many mushers, Mrs Ramstead prefers pure-bred Siberian huskies, which she says have fallen out of favour in recent years with the rise of the faster, purpose-bred Alaskan husky.

She compares her dogs to ice hockey teams. There are the experienced racers in mainstream competitions, the yearlings in training and a group of older, retired dogs. MORE>>

Pet arthritis: No cure but medicine and therapy can help

2011-08-27T01:15:00.000+12:00

Tahlula started life as a victim of bad breeding and will end it as a victim of arthritis.

The Rottweiler had hip dysplasia and ruptured knee ligaments when she was adopted in 2006 at age four. Ligament surgery followed, then a diagnosis of a dislocated spinal disc and arthritis so bad that the dog would cry in pain and sometimes stumble and fall.

Her owner, Lea Jaratz of Cleveland, wondered at times if she was putting her through unnecessary pain and should be putting her down instead.

But after trying assorted therapies, Jaratz hit on a combination of an over-the-counter supplement, glucosamine, and a prescription drug, Tramadol, that seemed to help. MORE>>

Poo Corner cleaned up

2011-08-27T00:47:00.000+12:00

Invercargill's Poo Corner has been cleaned up.

A resident's grass verge on the corner of Kildare Dr and Orkney St, in the north Invercargill suburb of Waikiwi, was labelled Poo Corner by one man after neighbours complained it was invariably littered with dog poo.

When The Southland Times visited the site on Tuesday, more than 50 large dog poos covered an 18-metre grass strip at the front of the section.

Following a story in Wednesday's paper about the mess, all the poo was removed from the roadside lawn.

But yesterday a single fresh dog poo was sighted on the offending strip of grass, dropped by an unknown canine.

The Invercargill City Council's environmental and planning services director, Pamela Gare, said the council had received no complaints about dog poo on the offending property in the past. MORE>>

SPCA launches cupcakes fundraiser

2011-08-26T07:58:00.000+12:00

SPCA Cupcake Day, Monday 29th August, is the third annual celebration of this 'cats and dogs' nationwide fundraiser.

Thousands of people throughout the country will be baking, selling and eating cupcakes to raise much-needed funds for SPCA Centres from Southland to Kaitaia.

"Cupcake Day for the SPCA is a sweet way to raise lots of dough for SPCA centres across New Zealand," says the SPCA's National Chief Executive, Robyn Kippenberger. MORE>>

Man admits charges over dog incident at polytech

2011-08-22T21:56:00.000+12:00

Christchurch Polytechnic students were unable to leave a building on the campus because they were afraid of a pit bull cross dog that Khal Wiri Thompson had let loose there.

The incident happened soon after Thompson had been released from prison, when he got drunk and started banging on the windows of the polytechnic, upsetting students who were working there.

Thompson, 33, was asked to leave by a polytechnic security officer but told him the dog that he had with him would kill on his command.

The dog was an unleashed and unrestrained pit-bull cross, and it prevented students from leaving the building because they were afraid of it, a Christchurch District Court sitting inside the men’s prison was told today when Thompson pleaded guilty to five charges. MORE>>

The dog should sue the guy for trying to use him as his weapon!

Dog's tale still wagging on film

2011-08-22T15:25:00.000+12:00

Wal, Dog, Rangi, Cheeky, Horse, Aunt Dolly and Prince Charles are back.

Twenty-five years on, movie-goers will get the chance to see Footrot Flats up on the big screen again.
Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale – based on the classic Kiwi comic strip written by New Zealand cartoonist Murray Ball – is showing for a limited two-week period at Event cinemas around the country, starting on September 1.

Originating producer Pat Cox hopes the film will capture the hearts of a whole new generation.
"It's an iconic piece of New Zealand culture and it's still within the top 10 most successful New Zealand films that have ever been released here.

"It's also up there in the top 10 in Australia as far as animated features go. MORE>>

Dog owners want more from fees

2011-08-20T22:52:00.002+12:00

Dog owners get what they pay for.

As part of the debate over where in the Scenic Reserve dogs should be allowed on and off the lead, several dog owners have claimed they are not getting value for money when it comes to their dog registration fee.

"We pay a lot in dog registration and yet we are restricted in where we can take them. Why doesn't the council provide dedicated dog parks? There are plenty of places we could have one and then there is no confusion," one dog owner commented on the Herald's website.

Another reader, a regular visitor from Christchurch, sympathised with Timaru dog owners who did not have access to dog parks as they did in Christchurch.

Dog control is meant to be self-funding and break even, the Timaru District Council's planning and regulation manager Peter Thompson said.

Historically the council's dog control services have run at a loss, although they did make a slight profit last year, and are expected to have a surplus of $27,500 this financial year. In 2009-10 dog control ran at a loss of more than $115,000 while last year it was in the black by $25,800.

Dog control's budget for the year is just over $423,000, of which $280,000 is staff costs and $148,500 corporate overheads.

Dogs should have been registered by July 1, and so far 9560 dogs, or 99 per cent of the known dogs in the district, were registered, which was the highest compliance rate the council had ever achieved, environmental services manager Rick Catchpowle said. MORE>>

Wanted: Homes for guide pups

2011-08-19T13:21:00.000+12:00

heir futures will be devoted to guiding the blind but right now they're just puppies in need of a home.

About 30 labrador puppies at the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's guide dog centre in Manurewa will be looking for foster families over the next three months.

Exploring the world with foster families - also known as puppy walkers - is a vital step in the puppies' development as guide dogs, co-ordinator Paula Gemmell says.

"The more places you can take a puppy the better because you're getting the dog used to different smells, noises and situations."

As long as they've got their bibs on, guide puppies can go anywhere from cinemas to shopping malls. MORE>>

About 80 of them are in training around Auckland at the moment, watching Harry Potter and shopping for treats. MORE>>

Another killer dog breed banned

2011-08-19T13:20:00.002+12:00

A killer breed of dog can no longer be imported, after being added to a list of prohibited canines.

The Perro de Presa Canario has been added to the list of dogs banned by the Dog Control Act 1996, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said.

"The tendency of the Presa Canario to exhibit aggressive behaviour or attack, and the size and strength of the breed, makes it of particular concern because of the seriousness of the injuries it could inflict," Mr Hide said. MORE>>

Snow makes long walk more peaceful

2011-08-16T22:57:00.002+12:00

Anyone finding it hard to get out and motivated in the cold should spare a thought for one-year-old Ella and six-year-old Rapid, who are walking around the South Island for charity.

The kelpie and border collie dogs are being accompanied on their journey by owner Mike Butler, who in turn is raising money for Daffodil Day.

Mr Butler works for ANZ, one of the major sponsors of Daffodil Day. Each year bank staff aim to raise $1 million and this year he decided to do something different. MORE>>

Victim kills locked-on pitbull

2011-08-12T17:34:00.000+12:00

A Christchurch man used a knife to kill a pitbull which had locked on to his arm, police say.
Police went to a Bower Ave, New Brighton property about 9.30pm on Tuesday after the pitbull was stabbed in the neck.

Sergeant Stephen McDaniel said the dog had been startled by a few cats fighting in the street. "The male [then] possibly bumped into or knocked the dog which resulted in the dog biting the male's jersey. As he's tried to swing the dog off his jersey the dog has re-bitten his arm."

The animal's jaws locked on and he was forced to ask the dog's owner for permission to kill the dog.MORE>>

Man tries to save dog from fire

2011-08-12T17:33:00.000+12:00

Ian Hayden left Christchurch to escape earthquakes, but yesterday had to face the loss of his belongings and dog after fire destroyed the Oamaru home he moved into just three weeks ago.

The 41-year-old, just before 7pm on Tuesday, had switched on the oven element to warm pumpkin soup when he heard "a loud explosion". When he opened the curtain between the living room and kitchen, the fire erupted and within minutes engulfed the Caledonian Rd house.

While the loss of his belongings was bad enough, the death of his 15-month-old Staffordshire-cross dog Ti-anna, which he had been given two weeks ago, was the most upsetting.

"I had her only a short time but I loved her. I was getting her trained and I'd take her for walks twice a day," he said outside the house yesterday, holding her chain in his hand.MORE>>

_______________

A man's desperate effort to save his dog from an Oamaru house fire has been strongly criticised by a fire investigator.

The two-bedroom house on Caledonian Rd was destroyed after being engulfed in flames about 7pm on Tuesday in a fire believed to have started in the kitchen.

Two fire appliances and 15 fire crew attended the scene.

New Zealand Fire Service specialist fire investigator Barry Gibson said the sole occupant of the two-bedroom house, a Christchurch man renting the property, managed to escape.

However, when he realised his dog was still inside, he tried to get back into the house.Neighbours managed to hold him back from re-entering. The dog could not be saved.

Mr Gibson said it was bad practice to re-enter a house that is on fire."Get out and stay out, and get help – because again we could have been looking at something more serious." MORE>>

Auckland pet owners follow the pack for buddy's name

2011-07-31T10:03:00.000+12:00

Thinking of getting a dog?

It's probably best to stay clear of the name Max or Bella, as hundreds of pups in Auckland already have these names.

Auckland Council dog registration records in the past year show Bella and Max are the favourite monikers for many dog owners in Auckland.

Records show there are 99,612 known dogs in the city.

This year is the first time all pups in the region will be registered to one council.

A total of 786 pups were christened Bella or Belle and 750 went by the name Max. MORE>>

Max is a great name... it's short and to the point!

And they call it puppy love

2011-07-30T08:50:00.002+12:00

Waiheke is putting out the call for responsible dog-lovers to consider owning a new puppy.

Last weekend Auckland SPCA held a special Rescue Me themed weekend to deal with an unprecedented number of dogs and puppies.

The island branch has nine new puppies looking for homes.

Rusty and Ranger are staying at the Waiheke Vets in Oneroa and Jack and Sally are at the SPCA centre in Surfdale.

Five tiny German shepherd-collie cross puppies also need new owners but are still at their Waiheke home with their mum, and will be moved when they are a little older.

The puppies are all crossbreeds from four different litters and are six to 10 weeks old.

MORE>>

Hot dogs show their true grit

2011-07-27T23:17:00.002+12:00

It's a dog's life hauling a human up to 8.5 kilometres over rough terrain - but it was all part of the fun for 42 dog sledding teams over the weekend.

The teams had 120 dogs between them, and were participating in the New Zealand sled dog championship at the Kaingaroa Forest course, 20 kilometres north of Taupo.

Ten sprint and freight races between 4.5km and 8.5km long were contested over a track of gravel, clay and pumice.

Chris Skelton caught the dogs and drivers in action.

Dog savages 4-year-old boy

2011-07-26T14:44:00.000+12:00

David Oliver's "parent radar" failed to go off when he and his family walked past a large dog sitting with its owner outside a cafe on Saturday.

Moments later he heard growling, followed by his wife's screams - and knew something awful had happened to his 4-year-old son, Ben.

"Leigh shouted, 'He's been bitten,' and Ben came running towards me with blood running down his face, down over his top. He was screaming, absolutely screaming."

The West Auckland family had been to the Titirangi village bakery and were walking home about 2pm when the attack happened.

Bakery?! hum... was the child holding on to a muffin? I'm just looking for a possible reason why the dog 'bite' the child. One possible scenario is that the child was walking past the dog with a muffin, or something else in his hand... perhaps even eating it at the time. The dog wanted the food, and wanted to grab the food, instead found his face.

Ben and his mother were making their way through tables on the footpath outside a cafe when Mrs Oliver noticed the bull mastiff-great dane cross sitting next to its owner, who was at a table.

The owner should have been a lot more aware of what her dog was doing at the time...

Mrs Oliver said the owner smiled so she asked the lady what kind of dog it was. Then it lunged at Ben.

"It happened so quickly. The dog snarled and then leaped at his face like he was prey or something - with a lot of intent and a lot of aggression."

Kids and dogs... the problem is that kids do look like prey for some dogs. Just like a little fluffy dog looks like a rabbit (prey) to other dogs.

Sad when another family has to go through worrying about their next encounter with a dog...

(...)

Ben's parents say there was no warning or indication something was about to happen before the attack

Ben was not provoking the dog or standing too close.

"Ben knows never to touch dogs. He was standing two metres away ... I was standing closer," said Mrs Oliver.

The Auckland Council will complete its investigation into the attack before deciding what will happen to the dog, which was registered.

I hope that they question the owner about the dog's history...

MORE>>

Dogs' new best friend buries wolf pack theory

2011-07-23T15:31:00.000+12:00

...
He, Bradshaw, is a scientist - founder and director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol - who has devoted the last 25 years to studying the domestic dog and has just written the most fantastic book, In Defence of the Dog, which is already on United States bestseller lists and is about to become required reading for dog lovers everywhere.
Bradshaw is not interested in canine hearsay. He does not peddle opinions. His style is tolerant, clear and benign and he is interested only in what science can support. His book is a revelation - a major rethink about the way we understand our dogs, an overturning of what one might call traditional dogma.
(...)
The first idea to bite the dust is so huge and entrenched that some owners will struggle to adjust. We have had it drummed into us by trainers such as Cesar Millan that because dogs are descended from wolves (their DNA is almost identical), they behave like wolves and can be understood as "pack" animals. The received thinking has been that dogs seek to "dominate" and that our task is to assert ourselves as pack leaders - alpha males and females - and not allow dogs to get the upper paw.

Bradshaw has no quarrel about DNA. His argument is that scientists have been studying the wrong wolves and jumping to the wrong conclusions. He says: "People have been studying American timber wolves because the European wolf is virtually extinct. And the American timber wolf is not related at all closely to the ancestry of the domestic dog." Great read... MORE>>

Neighbours at odds over dogs

2011-07-23T15:26:00.000+12:00

Relations between a prominent greyhound trainer and his neighbours have disintegrated into fenceline shouting matches, after they complained about the incessant barking of his kennel of racing dogs.

Steve Clark keeps 16 greyhounds at his rural home in Dairy Flat, north of Auckland. Among the sleek canines is one of the nation's best, 2010 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar winner Swift Fantasy.

Last year Clark was made to shut the dogs up by the Rodney District Council. In October last year, he was issued an abatement notice, telling him a nuisance was being created by persistent howling or barking from the dogs and he was to stop the nuisance by any means possible.MORE>>

Dogs at a discount to clear SPCA's cages

2011-07-20T15:26:00.004+12:00

The SPCA is holding a dog sale this week to deal with the largest overflow of unwanted animals in 27 years.
The Mangere Animal Village is overflowing with dogs, and had had to turn away many in the past month. The shelter has 59 dogs ready for adoption, where it would normally only hold 45 to 50.

Chief executive Bob Kerridge said there was a further glut in the back wings. The shelter had 161 dogs that were recovering from injuries or were waiting until they were old enough to be sold, and a further 30 in foster care.

"We're at over-capacity. Five to six times in the last month we have had to stop dogs coming in which we hate to do. If we can't take the dog then we worry about what will happen to it."MORE>>

Banning dog breeds 'no answer'

2011-07-10T11:54:00.000+12:00

Educating humans, not banning breeds, is the key to cutting dog-bite rates.

Didn't they just repeal the law in the UK?!

That is the message Middlemore Hospital paediatric emergency charge nurse and dog behaviourist Donelle Whiu has given Auckland Council and the SPCA, which have sought her advice after her dog-bite study.

Her study found that not one of the 65 bitten children recalled getting education about dog safety. "The council - their jaws dropped over this," Whiu said.

The public needed to be better educated about keeping kids safe around dogs, including keeping them away from animals that were eating, avoiding sudden movements, and teaching them never to approach a stranger's dog without getting permission first.

Rosemary Hagg, the council's northern licensing and compliance manager, said that dog-control officers visited school classrooms with safety messages, but would launch an extra initiative next term to reach more kids in more schools.

The council was spending tens of thousands of dollars contracting the Kids 4 Drama company to deliver 30-minute educational shows at primary school assemblies. The shows featured songs and catchy safety slogans and 130 of the 400 primary schools in the wider Auckland area were to get the talks by the end of the year, beginning in West Auckland.

"I think this is critical," said Hagg. "We're very concerned about the prevention of dog bites and attacks on children."

Yes, yes yes... but it's more than catchy phrases... It's good to have Be a Tree, but also good to have 'what to look for in a dog that is feeling a bit uneasy" Check out DoggoneSafe.com

Dog attack family wants $50,000 reparation

2011-07-10T11:48:00.000+12:00

The owner of a dog that attacked a 3-year-old boy on an Auckland shopping street is to face dangerous dog charges.

The family of Oracle Brampton, bitten when he tried to pat the dog outside a Video Ezy store, wants $50,000 reparation for the "trauma".

Difficult one because it was the boy who went to pat the dog, and got in its face. But then, if you leave a dog outside, you should make certain that it tolerates kids pushing their hands near their face!

The Herald on Sunday reported the attack in March, publishing security camera footage that showed how the dog lunged at the toddler, delivering a single bite that caused facial injuries.

The Brampton family has called for the Staffordshire terrier cross to be put down, but owner Toby Conway pleaded for his "best friend" Stan's life. The dog remains with Conway until a judge decides his sentence, according to the Brampton family.

An Auckland Council spokeswoman said charges would be laid in Waitakere District Court this month. The lead charge - a dog causing serious injury - carried a maximum penalty of three years' jail, $20,000 fine, or both. A secondary charge carried a $3000 fine.

Moana Wepiha-Reo, Oracle's grandmother, said the family was asked how much reparation they wanted, and had asked for $50,000.

She was angry that Conway had not apologised directly, and she wanted him to understand the "trauma" he had put the family through.

Not even an apology, but then.. Perhaps something in writing would have been nice-- a nice card, chocolates--

That's what someone did when their dog attacked our dog, and he had to get vet care. This family paid for the vet care, and came over to apologies, and give Holmes a Get Well card.

Poko to take to the stage as Toto

2011-07-10T11:42:00.000+12:00

Furry hopefuls from far and wide lined up at Western Park in Auckland today, to audition for the role of Dorothy's pet pooch, Toto.

The Peach Theatre Company is casting for its production Wizard of Oz, with actor Olivia Tennet, who will be playing Dorothy, checking out the tailed talent.

Tennet told ONE News she was sad she could only choose one dog to be her onstage side-kick.

"They've really just kind of melted my heart."

The dogs were put through their paces, being tested for obedience and personality and how well they reacted to live chickens. MORE>>

Dog attack on baby one of the worst

2011-07-10T11:40:00.000+12:00

An 18-month-old baby has been savaged by the family pitbull, in one of the worst dog attacks seen by hospital emergency staff.

Research by a Middlemore Hospital emergency nurse has revealed 65 children were so seriously injured by dog bites in the past year that they were brought from around New Zealand to the hospital, which specialises in plastic surgery for serious facial injuries.

Donelle Whiu, a charge nurse and dog behaviourist, measured the injuries on the internationally recognised Dunbar Dog Bite Scale, on which level 1 indicates a minor injury and 6 a fatality.

(...read full text via NZ Herald)

Whiu said the baby's case highlighted a finding from her research that 63 per cent of dogs that bit children were known to the family.

In one case in five the dog concerned was the family pet. Only 9 per cent of attacks were by strange animals.

She said: "People are more at risk at home than on the streets."

IMPORTANT reading for those who think that their dog can't bite their family member!

Great to see that the Dr Dunbar's dog bite scale is getting some media because this is EXACTLY what we need to keep track of... in our statistics. Thank you Donelle for bringing this to the media.

Town has killer dog roaming loose

2011-07-10T11:34:00.000+12:00

Te Aroha's Barbara Perkins stood helpless as a roaming dog snatched her toy poodle by the neck and shook it to death.

She was left to carry the torn body of six-year-old Bobo to her neighbour's house after the horrific attack last month.

In another incident an Australian woman's guide dog was left with an eye injury after being attacked by an unregistered dog at The Base in Te Rapa on Thursday.

The dog, described as a labrador-pitbull cross, was immediately detained by Hamilton dog control staff and is at the city dog pound. MORE>>

Gee.. I really feel for her! Not sure what I'd do if it happened to my dog!

Aussie guide dog attacked in NZ

2011-07-10T09:54:00.000+12:00

A veterinary report in Australia will determine what charges are laid against the owners of a pitbull terrier which attacked a guide dog in New Zealand.

Perry, an eight year-old golden labrador, was set upon by the bull terrier at a shopping centre in Hamilton on Thursday while accompanying its owner Anne Ferguson, a visiting blind Australian PHD student.

Police said it appeared the bull terrier leapt from a parked car's open door after noticing the guide dog.

Ferguson and her husband were also attacked after trying to pull the dog off Perry.

Hamilton City Council said this afternoon Perry had been given a clearance to fly home on Friday and police would await a veterinary report when the dog was further assessed in Australia before deciding what charges to lay.

The unregistered pit bull was seized by animal control officers after the attack and it remained impounded.

Wellington super-city fails to excite

2011-07-09T10:51:00.000+12:00

Super-city plans may be a hot topic in Hawke's Bay, but they appear to have excited little interest in the Wellington region.

Just 178 submissions had been received on the structure of the Wellington region's nine councils by the closing date of June 30.

That was similar to the amount most councils received for the change of a local dog bylaw, Wellington Mayoral Forum chairman Wayne Guppy said. "[It's] a very low submission rate – no question about that." MORE>>

Thief takes the car... and the dogs

2011-07-09T10:50:00.000+12:00

A woman whose car was stolen with her two dogs inside is appealing to the public for help.

Angela Lewis' black Audi A4 was stolen from a Remuera street on Monday night with a pair of Manchester terriers sitting in the back seat.

After walking the dogs, the designer parked in Ngapuhi Rd and left her car unattended for 45 minutes while she and her partner visited her brother. MORE>>

Kidnapped dog back home

Owners Angela Lewis and Grant Brown spent the next three days frantically following leads, texting a clairvoyant, organising four searching cars in areas of sightings, emailing, calling, Facebooking and asking people on the street.

Bella was found "shaking" in Puhinui Park by Ms Lewis, around 4pm on Thursday but Dexter was still missing.

The Weekend Herald received a call from a member of the public around 9.30am yesterday, saying they had seen Dexter and the stolen car.

Mr Brown was searching close to the tip-off location, and quickly flagged down a passing police vehicle. After three cars arrived as back-up, police entered a Papatoetoe house, near where Bella was found. MORE>>

Retired racing sled dogs adapt to sunny Nelson

2011-07-06T20:39:00.002+12:00

Alaskan huskies Joseph and Helene have raced in the world's toughest endurance events through some of the planet's most hostile environments, but are a little freaked out by hedgehogs scuttling around the backyard of their new home in Mapua.

The former world-class sled racing dogs arrived from Norway last year with owner Mark Chin. His partner, Stephanie Lawlor, said while the dogs seemed happy in their new environment – retired and living by the sea – they appeared to be a bit confused by the hedgehogs.

"I don't think they've seen them before, but they pick the hedgehogs up in their mouths and bring them into the house," she said.

For these well-travelled dogs, who have competed in the world's most extreme endurance races for sled dogs, the 30-hour flight to New Zealand via Frankfurt and Hong Kong was a doddle – the marathon was the paperwork for their owner. MORE>>

Swamped SPCA urges more action on de-sexing dogs

2011-07-06T08:06:00.002+12:00

The SPCA is calling for councils to take a more proactive role in controlling dog populations in their areas, as animal shelters struggle to keep up with the deluge of unwanted animals.

One weekend last month, Kaitaia SPCA received 30 puppies. Nelson is full with 29, Taupo got 17 on Thursday and Auckland is overloaded.

It is uncertain what has caused this influx, but many SPCA centres are underwhelmed by the incentives offered by their local councils to encourage owners to de-sex their dogs. MORE>>

Pitbull-cross puppy killer jailed

2011-06-29T21:20:00.000+12:00

A Te Kuiti man who bludgeoned a six-month-old pitbull-cross puppy to death with a golf club has been sentenced to two years and four months.

Mathew Awhi George pleaded guilty in April to charges of willfully ill-treating an animal, possessing an offensive weapon and threatening behaviour.

His prison sentence on the three charges is to be served cumulatively.
George had told the court he killed the dog because it "bit the hand that fed him".
Police had arrived during the attack but George threatened them with an axe, a shovel and a steel bar during a stand-off lasting 35 minutes.

- NZ Herald staff

Dogsledding... in New Zealand?

2011-06-29T21:19:00.000+12:00

You might expect to see teams of sled dogs racing across snow in Alaska, but they’re a little more out of the ordinary in Taupo.

This year’s New Zealand sled dog championships will be held in the Kaiangaria forest near Taupo in late July.
Last year, current national four-dog freighting champion Mark Roberts trained his team of Siberian huskies five days a week, up to 13km a day – and this year he hopes to win the six-dog freight event, which he says is “the most difficult”.

“The dogs are pulling140kg in weights, plus the 40kg cart and me,” he says, a total weight of 260kg.
“It’s tough for me too because if I’m working up a hill or through mud I have to get off the cart and work with the dogs.”

Around 50 people and more than 100 dogs will compete in the championship.

Dog hurt in crash survives in wild

2011-06-29T21:18:00.000+12:00

A hunting dog survived three weeks living wild with a broken leg after a car crash in Canterbury that seriously injured two people.

Police said a Canterbury woman had been charged with careless driving causing injury after the accident north of Ashburton in May.

The woman allegedly tried to overtake and collided head-on with Christchurch man Colin Hill, who was returning from a hunting trip and had his five hunting dogs in the back of his ute.

A man and woman in the car behind Hill lost control of their vehicle and were badly injured, and Hill's dogs were scattered across State Highway 1. Hill and partner Olivia Bishop, who live in New Brighton, pleaded for people to report sightings of their dog Brin, which disappeared after the accident.MORE>>

Dog-killing sea slugs found in Pilot Bay

2011-06-29T08:17:00.000+12:00

Grey side-gilled sea slugs found in Pilot Bay are the same species as those attributed to the 2009 dog deaths.

"It's a new risk," said Dr Jim Miller, medical health officer at Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service. "It's another thing for people to look out for."

While the sea slugs have been seen in the water, there have been no reports of their presence on land.

Rob Donald, of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, said the sea slugs become a risk when they start to wash up on beaches. MORE>>

100 Dogs And Competitors To Contest Gruelling Nz Sled Dog Champs Near Taupo

2011-06-28T17:46:00.000+12:00

About 50 people and more than 100 dogs will take part in the gruelling New Zealand sled dog championships in the Kaiangaroa forest near Taupo next month.

One of the teams of (six) huskies will be pulling more than a quarter of a tonne around an 8.5km course. This is the 10th year of the nationals and the four and six dog freight events will be the toughest on in the July 23rd championships.

``Those races will cover 8.5km and will take just over half an hour,'' current national four-dog freight team champion Mark Roberts of Christchurch said today.

``My dad spent time in Antarctica in the 1960s working with sled dogs, so I've always been interested in them. Earlier this year I did a tough overnight trip in Central Otago and the dogs covered 50km in two days. The dogs had a lot of deep river crossings and thick mud and rocks to contend with
MORE>>

Dog officers accused of lurking

2011-06-28T17:38:00.000+12:00

Dog control officers are hiding in bushes and lurking in cars in a covert surveillance tactic to gather more fines, dog owners claim.

The owners say the fines - which can be for infringements including failure to keep a dog under control and failing to remove faeces - have become about "revenue collecting".

However, the Auckland Council said yesterday there was no incentive for dog control officers to issue a quota of tickets and the officers were not allowed to hide in bushes.

Kate Burke, who lives in Pt Chevalier, said she had written to Auckland Mayor Len Brown criticising Animal Control Services, a company contracted by the council to enforce city-wide dog bylaws.

"There is a strongly held and widespread view in the community that responsible dog owners are being targeted as a source of revenue collection," she wrote.

The animal control officers were often unprofessional, dishonest and aggressive, and were just revenue-collecting, she said. Dog owner Sean Curham said he had seen an animal officer crouched in a bush at a park. "He was tucked out of sight. He was away from his van and was deliberately out of sight."

(...)

The Westmere coastal park is a popular spot for dog walkers. Dogs are allowed to run free within the grassy park area, but legally have to be on a leash along the entry walkway and in the carpark.

On the day of the ticket, Ms Burke was leading her dog Mozart, unleashed, back to her car. After noticing an officer writing while sitting in a marked car, Ms Burke asked whether she was getting a ticket.

"[The officer said] 'I'm catching up on my paperwork, but now you have interrupted me, maybe now I will'."

Ms Burke received a ticket for $1800 in the mail - $300 for a dog off-leash, $750 for wilful obstruction and $750 for failure to supply details.

Auckland Council has since reduced the off-leash dog and the wilful obstruction fine back to warnings.

Ms Burke said she would fight the $750 ticket for failure to supply details in court, saying: "There's still some dispute around what actually went down."

MORE>>

This job should not be contracted out!! If you have a contract, then you MUST show that you are WORKING for your money! How do you do that?!?

And, I'd also like to know what kind of animal qualification they have?

And and... that last story about the ticket $1800 !!! that's OBSCENE !! You don't even get that for speeding ! Where the hell do they get these fine?

Tyre-biting dog 'haunted by accident'

2011-06-27T17:40:00.000+12:00

A dog that chewed his way through four tyres, damaging two police cars and an animal control vehicle, is haunted by memories of being hit by a truck as a pup, say its owners.

Bruno, a 7-year-old mixed-breed dog from South Auckland, launched his attack on a patrolling police car that had stopped in Mangere in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The sergeant drove away from the dog, changed the tyre and then returned to investigate - only to have the dog eat its way through a second tyre.

Not satisfied with the first two tyres, the dog also punctured the tyre of a second patrol car and the animal control services vehicle which were called in to help.

(...)

Animal control services won't release Bruno unless the owners agree to keep him in a 3m by 3m run, with fences at least 1.8m high.
MORE>>

Christchurch shelters sending pets north

2011-06-25T17:43:00.002+12:00

Overflowing animal shelters in Christchurch are sending traumatised pets north in the hope of finding them new homes.

Since the first earthquake, last September, 47 cats, turtles and roosters have been sent to Wellington's Helping You Help Animals, and a further 21 dogs will join them this week.

All of them are family pets that became homeless or had to be given up because of the earthquakes, said spokeswoman Carolyn Press-McKenzie. MORE>>

Wanganui dogs dominate trials

2011-06-15T12:56:00.000+12:00

Hunterville's Guy Peacock, running his 3-year-old dog Frank, won the zigzag hunt at the New Zealand sheep dog trial championship in Masterton on Saturday and paved the way for the Wanganui centre to win the Cyril Perry trophy - making it the most successful centre at the championships.

Bruce Parkinson's Brook won the North Island title in the shorthead and yard, while three other Wanganui triallists were placed just behind him - Kathryn Oliver's Kim, Donald Wickham's Berk, and Don White's Cash.

Parkinson was the first to run in the final for the NZ championship. Brook headed well but had her sheep run away to the left just after they were started down the hill. After more to-and-froing across the hill, Brook had them under control and lost only half a point from the first drive to the pen. It was a brilliant recovery, well deserving of second place.

MORE>>

Sheep deaths blamed on runaway pig dogs

2011-06-15T12:55:00.002+12:00

A spate of dog attacks on sheep has farmers calling for tighter controls on pig hunters.

Taieri Mouth farmers have lost more than 40 sheep in the past three weeks, blaming the losses on runaway pig-hunting dogs.

Allan Gorton said he had lost 31 sheep to dog attacks, while a neighbour, John King, had lost "at least" 10 sheep. MORE>>

Quake dog seeks home

2011-06-13T12:53:00.000+12:00

A dog owned by a woman who died in the earthquake-hit Canterbury Television building needs a new home.
The owner of Maisie, a six-year-old short-haired jack russell, died when the February 22 quake hit Christchurch.

Days after the quake, the dog was dropped in at SPCA Canterbury by the woman's mother.
"The woman who died had a 12-year-old daughter, and the family had no ability to look after Maisie, so we took her," SPCA Canterbury manager Geoff Sutton said.
MORE>>

I'm sure he's adopted now!!

$500 pup pawn in dog fights

2011-06-13T12:51:00.000+12:00

A man who bet money on dog fights in the Wairarapa now fears his own pet has been stolen and will be used by fight organisers.

The man, who refused to be named to protect himself and his young family, said he had twice attended illegal dog-fighting events in Masterton, and was aware they were also held in Carterton and Porirua.

He attended his first fight three years ago. "There was at least 40 people there, the beer was free, and we had a ringside table."The male I was backing must have killed at least two dogs before they retired him for the night. He was stuffed. I won $900 in an hour off that dog."

He attended another fight in January this year but left halfway through. "I went for the money. But ... it was just too much." Non-fighting dogs, and even cats, had been used as bait.

Now, he fears his $500 purebred puppy, which disappeared three weeks ago, has been taken by fight organisers.

Gee, I don't think too many people are going to feel sorry for you, but we'll surely feel sorry for the puppy. You almost don't deserve a dog, but hey... we can always forgive people. That's what life is all about. They say that we have dogs so that they can teach us lessons! Hope you learned yours.

SPCA struggling as dog numbers swell

2011-06-13T12:48:00.002+12:00

The SPCA is considering setting up mobile adoption centres in upmarket suburbs to help deal with an unprecedented number of dumped pets.

Chief executive officer Christine Kalin said that three weeks ago there were more than 120 dogs at Animal Village in Mangere. This number had now grown to 163.

And as well as a growing intake, Ms Kalin said adoptions were decreasing.MORE>>

Group says it's a dog's life without canine playgrounds

2011-06-10T23:34:00.000+12:00

Calls for a dog playground in Palmerston North are mounting.

The Dog Parks Action Group has been formed to encourage the development that has become a feature of many overseas cities, and has been picked up in New Zealand in Christchurch. Group members Bruce Thomson and Sue Flynn put the proposal to the Palmerston North City Council's community wellbeing committee yesterday, using the chance to comment on the draft dog control policy to put their case.

They asked the council to develop one or two fenced, trial dog playgrounds.

Mrs Flynn said having a place to go where dogs could play off the leash while their owners met for a chat would provide an important opportunity for people to socialise.MORE>>

Arctic dog race adapted for NZ winters

2011-06-09T12:12:00.000+12:00

Adapting a sport designed for the snow-bound Arctic regions of the United States, Canada and Russia for the milder New Zealand winter requires more than a little Kiwi ingenuity.

Nowhere was that more evident than at the Sandy Point Scarper where labradors, pointers, boxers and huntaways went head to head with the more traditional polar breeds of Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes racing in fun and official competition.

Southland Sled Dog Association president Haakon Berg said mushers from across the South Island converged on Fosbender Park, with about 40 en-tries in the competition, which inclu-ded canicross – cross-country running while hitched to a dog – one and two-dog scooters, two-to-six-dog sprints and one-to-three-dog freight races.

A further 30 competed in the fun junior and senior races at the weekend.
The sport has grown rapidly in the South Island from its humble beginnings about 20 years ago.MORE>>

Christchurch supplement improves arthritic conditions, study shows

2011-06-09T12:11:00.000+12:00

An Australian clinical study trial of a Christchurch-made green shell mussel health product has found arthritic conditions improved by 43 per cent for people taking the supplement.
The product of Bromley-based manufacturer Aroma NZ was trialled by Queensland University to determine its benefits.
Company director Ben Winters said it was well-known that green shell mussel powder gave ''great'' results to people and animals suffering joint pain and inflammation.
(...)
The results just released showed a 43 per cent improvement over eight weeks in arthritis sufferers who took part in the trial with a significant reduction in joint pain and increased joint mobility in patients.
''It confirms the product contains significant anti-inflammatory properties,'' Mr Winters said.

The company has been producing various products for more than 50 years in Christchurch.
Mr Winters' grandfather owned an essences and flavourings business in Rotterdam which he further developed in Christchurch from 1961.MORE>>

Microchip links owner and lost dog a year on

2011-06-09T12:09:00.000+12:00

microchip has helped reunite a lost dog with her family, a year after she went missing.
Wellington SPCA's animal rescue unit found Marley running around in traffic on State Highway 2 near Petone on Sunday, and took her to the SPCA base in Newtown.

SPCA senior inspector Ben Lakomy said Marley was extremely underweight and in a "pretty rough" condition.
Thanks to a microchip the size of a grain of rice, the SPCA was able to find Marley's owner, who had last seen her about a year ago.

Mr Lakomy said: "We rang some of the neighbours first, just to make sure she hadn't been at that address when she got into that condition, but they said they hadn't seen her there for ages."

When he rang Marley's owner in Porirua, Hinetaapora Moko-Mead, she was overjoyed. "They were very, very shocked to get a call from us, they were over the moon, and quite emotional when they came in." MORE>>

Chasing pet blamed for boy's tank death

2011-06-09T12:05:00.000+12:00

A little boy in a small East Coast town may have been chasing his puppy when he fell into an unused water tank and drowned.

Michael Te Kapurangi Walker-Mitchell of Whatatutu, who was known around the village as a playful and cheerful young boy, had just celebrated his fourth birthday.MORE>>

Call for better dog controls in Samoa

2011-06-09T12:04:00.000+12:00

A New Zealand animal health researcher says dogs in Samoa need to be better controlled to improve their lives.
Unitec senior lecturer, Mark Farnsworth, says data he’s gathered shows the dog population is getting out of control as many dogs are not de-sexed.

He says lack of adequate canine welfare leads to problems with dogs being aggressive towards people, dogs being poorly controlled and puppies without homes being killed. MORE>>

Woman denies using dogs in assaults

2011-06-07T12:06:00.000+12:00

An 18-year-old woman is denying setting her three dogs on a Japanese woman.
Defence counsel Angela Grant indicated Phillipa Ann Parker would plead not guilty to three charges of using a dog as a weapon when she appeared at a hearing of Christchurch District Court today.
Judge David Saunders remanded Parker on bail to August 1 for a status hearing.
Her alleged co-offender, Steven Donaldson, 25, pleaded not guilty to similar charges a month ago and was remanded on bail for a status hearing on July 4.
The pair were arrested after a Japanese woman alleged late in April that two people had made racist comments to her in Lincoln Road and then set their dogs on her, encouraging them to bite her.
She backed against a wall and escaped serious injury after help from a passerby.

Shaved rear-ends all the rage

2011-06-06T12:05:00.003+12:00

Poodle continental clips, where the dog's rear-end is shaved apart from a few "pom poms", were all the rage at the Wellington Kennel Association's 125th anniversary show yesterday.

It was held at the New Zealand Kennel Club Exhibition Centre in Porirua, with judges from around the world and dogs from all around New Zealand.MORE>>

Dog to be destroyed after Masterton attack

2011-05-31T01:05:00.000+12:00

A bull mastiff-cross which savagely attacked a four-year-old girl in Masterton will be destroyed today, while the child remains in hospital undergoing surgery.

She was patting the dog when it became aggressive, pinning her to the ground and biting her face.

I'm sure that the dog gave some warning through his body language to tell the person SUPERVISING this interaction between the dog and child that the dog was feeling uncomfortable.

The owner has been charged under the Dog Control Act. And so they should!

A two-year-old girl was also mauled by a dog in Kawerau at the weekend.
MORE>>

If dog bites are such a problem, why is it then that when a dog bite prevention event was held in Christchurch took place, only a handful of families came? Would you think that people would be interested in learning how to read their dog's body language in order to avoid the situations that took place over the weekend.

Check www.doggonesafe.com, and you can take an online course- around $40.00NZ or so-- cheaper than your daughters life time of scars and operations!

Dog control laws adequate - former minister

2011-05-31T00:58:00.002+12:00

The architect of current dog control laws believes they are comprehensive and says anyone with suggestions on how to improve them should lobby Local Government Minister Rodney Hide.

Chris Carter is now an independent MP but in 2003 was local government minister in the Labour-led government when Parliament passed his Dog Control Amendment Bill with overwhelming support. It included measures such as microchipping all puppies, banning certain breeds, increasing dog control officers' abilities to enter properties and increasing fines.

MORE>>

Judge tells feuding couple to share custody of dogs

2011-05-29T11:55:00.000+12:00

A prominent political figure and his ex-wife have been told they must share the custody of their two dogs after a long-running dispute in the Family Court.

Strict suppression orders surround the case, which includes an allegation of dog-napping on the street of a plush Auckland suburb in November 2010.

The ex-wife - to be referred to as D - saw her ex-husband's new partner walking the dogs and is alleged to have unclipped one of the animals from its lead and put it in a car.

D told the court in April she told her ex's new partner: "You have my husband, you cannot have my dogs."
MORE>>

Wairarapa return for dog expert

2011-05-29T11:54:00.000+12:00

One of New Zealand's top farm dog trainers is returning to her old stamping grounds in Wairarapa to show farmers and dog triallists how to get the best results from their working dogs.

Anna Holland, who featured in the television programme Country Calendar in April, was born and raised in the heart of Auckland city but shepherded for 23 years in Wairarapa.

As a young girl she used to spend school holidays on a "distant uncle's" farm in Martinborough. Ian Nichol, who farmed at Drumcairn, was known as an excellent farmer and a top man with both dogs and horses.

Anna Holland learnt to ride on the Wairarapa hills and credits what she now knows how to do best - dog training - to Mr Nichol's early teaching. She left home at 17 to become a landgirl and at 21 years old lived in Gladstone, in rural Carterton. MORE>>

Woman scalped by pitbull in fight with sister

2011-05-26T23:49:00.000+12:00

A New Zealand woman was scalped by a pitbull after she was attacked by her sister who owns the dog.

Liz Smith, a 52-year-old from Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty, suffered puncture wounds and severe bruising in the 20 minute attack, which ended when police arrived at her sister's home, the Bay of Plenty Times reports.
Ms Smith said her sister originally attacked her before the dog joined in.
"It was not going to stop," Ms Smith told the Bay of Plenty Times.

"I don't know how I'm going to get it out of my head when I go to sleep at night — I'm very lucky to have survived this."

She has since been discharged from hospital.MORE>>

Sheep dogs to pack Masterton

2011-05-26T23:41:00.000+12:00

Hundreds of working dogs are set to descend on Masterton in June to compete for the chance to be named the best in the country.

The Tux North Island and New Zealand Sheepdog Trialing Championships start on Monday, June 6, culminating in a final run with the seven top dogs on Saturday, June 12.

Life member of the Masterton Dog Trial Club Arthur Harrison, who won the New Zealand title in 1981 and judged the competition in 1995 when it was last in Masterton, said dog trialing has done for young shepherds what shearing competitions have done for shearers.

"The change I've seen in working dogs over the years has been just incredible. Shepherds have really cleaned their act up and they're much more aware of their dogs.

"At the end of the day, without dogs, you couldn't run a farm - the industry wouldn't exist without them." MORE>>

New Zealand bar offers half-price beer for dead rabbits

2011-05-24T07:43:00.000+12:00

A New Zealand pub has come up with an innovative way to deal with the rabbit plague in Central Otago – offering half-price drinks for a dead one

.MORE>>

Penguin killed in dog attack

2011-05-14T22:17:00.002+12:00

A little blue penguin has died in Wellington Zoo after being attacked by a dog in Seaview.

The attack on Saturday morning involved a couple walking a large alsatian and a husky on Port Rd.

Witness Ann Rodgers confronted the pair and said the woman was attempting to hide the badly-injured bird under a bush. She said the man was severely reprimanding the dogs.

Mrs Rodgers contacted the SPCA, which took the penguin to the Native Bird Rescue Trust (NBRT), which in turn took it to Wellington Zoo.

Ms Rodgers, who describes herself as a dog lover, says she was disgusted by the woman's actions.
"She was clearly ashamed that her dog had done that." MORE>>

Dog owners benefit under super city

2011-05-14T22:10:00.000+12:00

The amalgamation of the Auckland councils to form the super city looks to have finally paid off - for dog owners at least.

The new standard fees, adopted by the council at the Strategy and Finance Committee today, will see some dog owners save up to $50 on registering their dogs compared to what they used to pay to their local councils.
MORE>>

Dog days here again

2011-05-09T12:32:00.000+12:00

Dog behaviourist Donelle Whiu is one month away from finishing a year-long study of dog attacks on children.

With such attacks recently in the news, the Tuakau resident is incensed that the knee-jerk reaction is to ban dogs. Last March, a three-year-old boy was attacked by a Staffordshire terrier cross in West Henderson.

"What's interesting is that in other news reports recently in the media, they're saying that dog bites are on the rise. They aren't. They're static," says Ms Whiu, who is also an emergency nurse at Middlemore Hospital.

Her research is based on cases seen at the hospital. So far, she has noted 54 dog attacks on children aged between newborn and 15 years.

Preliminary results show 86.9 per cent of dogs were family dogs or known to the families of the bitten children. "About 63 per cent of those bites that we've seen so far could have been prevented with some education."

Ms Whiu says a lot of the children were attacked while walking past or playing with the dogs. Some were holding food or taking toys from their pets.
(...)

On her own, Ms Whiu has brought the US "Doggone Safety Programme" to some schools with the help of Leo, her 90kg Neapolitan mastiff.

Leo is a two-time winner of the NZ National Dog Show in fielding Best of Breed for Neapolitan mastiffs. He is also the first Neapolitan mastiff in New Zealand to earn a Canine Good Citizen certificate and is being trained as a therapy dog.

"Our programme teaches children to be doggie detectives and look at a dog's body language and facial expressions and understand whether that dog is safe enough to approach. It is also delivered by trained dog behavioural experts, instead of teachers," she says.

Auckland and Christchurch are the only regions in the country offering the programme. The problem, says Ms Whiu, is that schools ask only for education services like hers after reports of gruesome attacks.
MORE>>

Teach a Child, Save a Dog Event

Christchurch event !!! This Sunday-- May 15th, at the Foundation of the Blind, 96 Bristol Street, Christchurch. More info: www.nakeddog.co.nz

SBS Marathon to support USAR Dogs

2011-05-05T17:47:00.000+12:00

.... “The February 22 quake resulted in the largest deployment of the New Zealand Fire Service USAR team in this country's history. Their dogs were joined by USAR K9 teams from Australia, Japan and Singapore. Over the following week or so these dogs and their handlers searched more than 80 sites resulting in several successful finds in very testing surrounds.
“We couldn’t see a better of way of saying ‘thank you’ for the skills and dedicated service they have provided, and continue to offer, than by making them the charity of choice for this year’s special event being held at Lincoln on Sunday 5 June. MORE>>

Name suppression goes to dogs

2011-05-02T18:46:00.002+12:00

OPINION: After 15 good years our family dog Austin is getting ready to shuffle off this mortal coil.
He's an english pointer that I bought on account of his hunting pedigree and ability to air scent pheasants from a fair distance.

However, a lot can change in 15 years - in my case, it's brought marriage and kids - such that now it's clear Austin's single most-valued trait is his bombproof nature with small children.

Dogs of a different sort made the news recently when for the first time a New Zealand judge granted name suppression for two flash Auckland pooches that were at the sharp end of a Family Court wrangle involving a male senior political figure, his new partner and his ex-wife. MORE>>