13 June 2006

Even dead dogs liable for $100 fine

The NZ Kennel Club says scrapping compulsory microchipping is excellent news.

“But why is there now a change to have a $100 fine for every dead dog?” said Lesley Chalmers, president of the NZ Kennel Club, the organisation of responsible dog owners.

A new clause 9D has been added into the Local Law Reform Bill to make everyone who fails to notify the local Council of the death of a dog subject to a fine of $100.

“This is nonsense. Councils have not needed to fine people for dead dogs in the past and do not need to start,” said Lesley Chalmers.

The idea contained in the select committee report that ‘most owners do notify their territorial authority of their dogs’ deaths in order to receive refunds’ is incorrect.

The fact is that owners are ignorant of the existing provisions of the Dog Control Act because Councils do not make the provision known. And the Councils are hardly reliable when it comes to registering dogs - our members have to put up with the frequent mistakes of Councils.

“Parliament must scrap the idea of a $100 fine on dead dogs and must scrap compulsory microchipping except for dangerous/menacing dogs,” said Lesley Chalmers

“Neither pedigree nor working dogs have been implicated in attacks, so if there is to be an expemtion it must apply to both pedigree and working dogs.

“But the sensible thing to do is to require compulsory microchipping for only dangerous and menacing dogs. Those are the ones that have to be identified.

“The best solution is to licence the owners, not the dogs,” said Lesley Chalmers.

The NZ Kennel Club has consistently said:

- We see value in microchipping to provide certainty of identity and so add integrity to the register of purebred dogs in New Zealand.

- We do not agree that a microchip will stop any dog attack

- We support any move that will, in reality, improve the lot of dogs and responsible owners

- We support any move that will, in reality, improve the safety of the community.

- We support any move that will, in reality, improve the chances of prosecution and penalties against irresponsible people.

ENDS

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