Auckland cracks down on 'lawless dog owners'

Auckland City Council is suspending its policy of issuing warnings to people whose dogs are found without leashes in public places.

Instead, the Council will impose instant $200 fines and increase dog patrols in reserves by about 25 per cent, the council said in a statement.

The council was sending letters to the city's 18,000 registered dog owners asking for their co-operation.

Council compliance manager Barry Smedts said the city's nine dog patrols were catching about 48 people a week whose dogs were not on leashes in public places where leashes were compulsory.

The council's animal control contractor -- Animal Control Services -- had 1243 "dog at large" reports in the six months to December 31 last year.

"I think the public, parents and law-abiding dog owners have had enough of a minority flouting the law and in some cases, like Friday's, causing horrific suffering," Mr Smedts said in a statement.

Animal Control Services would increase patrolling officers from nine to 11 from tomorrow.

A spate of recent dog attacks around New Zealand has led to the Government announcing an urgent review of the Dog Control Act.

Local Government Minister Chris Carter said it was not clear how such cases could be prevented.

However, he had written to all mayors seeking their help in identifying possible changes to the act and asking them to reply by the end of the month.

Mr Carter also planned to write to organisations such as the Veterinarians' Association and the Kennel Club to get their views.

Local Government New Zealand chief executive Peter Winder believed the overall framework of the legislation was sound, but minor changes were needed.

At present, dog control officers were unable to intervene until someone had been bitten.

"It really relates to whether you have to wait until a dog has sunk its fangs into someone to be able to intervene," Mr Winder said.

"What dog control officers would really appreciate is clarity as to ability to intervene when dogs are clearly displaying very aggressive behaviour and there's reasonable cause to believe they will cause harm."

SPCA Auckland director Bob Kerridge proposed that owners, as well as their dogs, should have to be licensed.

"I have to say, and it sounds hackneyed, it's not the dog, it's the owner," he said.

"Few dogs are born dangerous. Many dogs are made dangerous and they are made dangerous by dangerous owners."

- NZPA