Bob Kerridge: Council should think again on dog fees

Bob Kerridge. Photo / Supplied

Opinion

Over the last few weeks Aucklanders have been pondering on the complexities of owning a dog, brought about as a result of the Auckland Council who have invited public submissions on their proposed policies and bylaws for dogs.

I have it on very good authority that responses are flooding in from all directions, not only because dog issues occupy a large percentage of Council's time all the time, or because it is on its own a very volatile subject, but more so because whatever Councils in their infinite wisdom decide to impose by way of regulations can have a serious effect on the enjoyment of having a dog as one of the family.

In this round of submissions there is one merciful improvement in that there will be consistency throughout the entire Auckland region , unlike the somewhat shambolic variances that ensued when there were seven Councils to contend with. It is however still an enigma that there is not one national regulatory standard for dogs and that Local Authorities are still empowered to tinker with their own local bylaws, often with far reaching results.

Of the 700,000 dogs residing in New Zealand, 71% live in urban areas, so it is fair to suggest that Auckland has their fair share of them. Accordingly the need to 'get it right' sits firmly on the shoulders of the city's law-makers, and Auckland dog owners will undoubtedly have their views on the subject.

Getting it right means catering to the welfare of the dogs, ensuring the responsibilities of dog ownership are understood and practised, and respecting the autonomy of those who do not wish to interact with dogs. That's one large diplomatic headache.

Cutting to the bare essentials the 'leash law' is the one that caters to all, with dogs required to be on a leash at all times in public places. This guarantees absolute control with any public nuisance element eliminated, and a happy dog in contact with its 'pack leader'. Off leash areas in some open spaces provide for times of freedom, although essentially these areas should be completely contained to avoid contact with the general public. Additionally the compulsory picking up of droppings eliminates a most offensive public nuisance.

However, lurking behind the question of appropriate bylaws is a sinister plan that will impact dramatically on dog owners, a plan the Auckland Council hoped would not surface at this time. It lies in wait in the Council's Long Term Plan, volume 3, on page 144, and it was approved by them earlier this month. It involves the raising of dog registration fees by up to 160 per cent.

It is proposed in this dastardly plan that a de-sexed dog will cost $120 annually (up from $47 for those with a good owner licence, and from $75 for those without), and an additional $50 if you don't pay on time. Apart from the sheer cost, the lack of recognition for good dog owners represents an abysmal lack of common sense which will, quite rightly, incense the most responsible of our citizens, all of whom will want to know what they get from this additional money they are being asked to spend.

According to the Council dog control services in Auckland cost $12.1 million annually, including the operation of pounds (incarcerating unfortunate dogs rather than their wayward owners), fieldwork and enforcement/prosecutions, education and the cost to gather registration fees. They claim an annual budget deficit of around $5 million to justify the increased fees.

So before dog owners come baying for their blood, as they surely will, and justifiably so, perhaps the Council needs to seriously reassess their expenses, consider whether dog control is a community issue rather than a burden to be placed solely on the shoulders of dog owners, and how they may acknowledge, rather than punish, the faithful dogs who reside amongst us.

* Bob Kerridge is Executive Director, SPCA Auckland