Hon Dr Nick Smith National Party Local Government Spokesman

8 August 2005

Clean the dog dish daily, says nanny state Labour

New regulations stating that dog owners must clean their dog's dish every day and dry it with a disposable paper towel show Labour's nanny state policies have no limit, says National's Local Government spokesman, Nick Smith.

"Labour has banned us doing home renovation work, won't let us choose where our children go to school, and tells us how to discipline our children. Now they want to tell us how and when to clean our dog's dish," says Dr Smith.

The new regulations are part of the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare fourth draft, dated August 2005, and are in the name of Jim Sutton, Minister of Agriculture.

Page 27 of the document says that 'food scraps must be removed daily from kennels, runs and garden areas', 'food and water containers must be washed daily' and that containers 'should be rinsed and dried in a manner that will not spread infectious diseases e.g. air drying or with a disposable paper towel'.

It also says that 'housing and bedding should be washed at least once a week', and, on page 24, that dog housing must be 'draught-free'.

The Minister says that 'failure to meet a minimum standard in the code could lead to legal action' and confirms the code has the legal status of regulations.

A breach of the regulations under Section 25 of the Animal Welfare Act carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or $125,000 for a body corporate. A breach of the regulations under Section 169 could disqualify the person from owning a dog.

"Dog owners do not need 60 pages of new regulations to tell them how to care for their dogs. It is no wonder kennel clubs and Federated Farmers are up in arms.

"This is red tape gone mad. National will withdraw this code and produce a simple code that focuses on preventing animal abuse, rather than this politically correct rubbish," says Dr Smith.

ENDS

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