Ann Redstone.
More can be done to improve the life of dogs and their owners through a time-payment regime for fines and subsidised dog training to help owners get control of and take better care of their pets.
Many elderly people and those on low household budgets grieve when their animals are locked in the pound and they cannot come up with the fines within the specified time resulting in the Hastings Council putting down their pets
I applaud the new operation at the Hastings pound which came about through an independent review, including rebuilding the facility and placing it under new management.
A couple of years ago I heard some very sad stories about the poor conditions for the dogs held at the Hastings pound and the high number being enthanased every week.
That encouraged me to network with other concerned animal lovers and form a group which later became WATCHDOG!
This group petitioned Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, to improve dog control procedures and for conditions at the pound to be reviewed.
As a result of the review, policies were scrutinised and fairer, more humane procedures put into place.
Fewer dogs now need to be enthanased and a high percentage of unclaimed animals are successfully re-homed.
A softer approach taken by Dog Control officers generates less fear and aggression when capturing roaming dogs. Owners are given a chance to comply with local animal control regulations before any harsher remedies are taken.
Registration fees have been reduced to $110 per year or $73.50 for "selected owners" who are approved after paying a one-time fee.
Well done, HDC. Now a few more positive initiatives could be put into place.
One of the important unaddressed steps needing to be implemented is an easy pay system for these annual fees.
A number of pet owners find it difficult to come up with $110 per animal in one lump sum. Making it easier for the owners to register their dogs will mean Animal Control is aware of the existence of pets and the local council laws can be policed more effectively, resulting in fewer dog attacks.
If this method was also applied to any fines incurred the Animal Control department would become more profitable.
The alternative is for the department to pay a vet to put the unclaimed animal to sleep resulting in a financial loss and very unhappy former owners.
Community Card holders could also be offered subsidised, low-cost neutering.
Council-subsidised Puppy Schools would also have an ongoing positive effect.
I don't believe there are any "bad" dogs. Just untrained animals belonging to poorly educated, lazy owners who would certainly benefit from the training, along with their pets.
The Associate Minister of Local Government, Louise Upston, is calling for public input into greater control over the dog population to reduce the number of attacks by high risk dogs.
While current dog control laws value the role of dogs as pets and companions, Ms Upston says, a way needs to be found to reduce "the danger posed by high-risk dogs and irresponsible dog owners".
I urge all dog owners to make submissions to government on ideas including what councils, dog owners and others can do to ensure people feel safer. Subsidised neutering, low-cost training and an easy payment system for registration and fines would be a step in the right direction. Dog owners should have their say by clicking the following link www.govt.nz/reducing-dog-attacks.
- Ann Redstone is standing as a candidate for the Hastings District Council (Heretaunga Ward) in the local elections.
- Views expressed here are the writer's opinion and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz