A dog in the Whakatane pound displays the reflective collar meant for animals that have been classified as dangerous. Picture / Alan Gibson
Whakatane District Council has come up with a simple way to alert people that an unconfined dog is potential menace.
Under a new bylaw, the council requires owners of all dogs that have been officially classified as dangerous to ensure the animals wear an approved reflectorised collar when not confined
to a kennel or run.
Whakatane is believed to be the first council in New Zealand to introduce the measure, used in parts of Australia, where the collars are made.
"It's a good idea and it would be great if it was introduced nationwide," said animal control officer Verna Kinney.
"The collar alerts the public that a dog has the potential to bite and should be avoided."
Dogs known to have attacked people or other animals also had to wear a muzzle when not fenced in.
She said there were 20 dogs certified as dangerous in the district and their owners had all been notified that they had to buy the collars, priced from $25 to $35. If the animals were found not wearing the reflector neckbands, a $300 fine would be imposed.
Of an estimated 6500 dogs in the Whakatane district, those labelled dangerous covered "a whole variety", said Mrs Kinney.
Among the ones which had bitten at least once were pitbulls, labradors, crossbreeds and a "real little nipper" of a tibetan spaniel. The regulation collars in stock were too big for the "tibbie" and one was being made to fit.
"We [council staff] needed to do something so that if a dangerous dog did get out, the collar would warn people," said Mrs Kinney.
"Children, especially, will often rush up to pat a dog."
As part of her department's education programme, staff visited schools to talk about safety and how to look after pets. They would now be stressing that children must stay away from any dog wearing the wide red and lime green-coloured collar.
But by no means all dangerous dogs were classified and required to wear the collars, Mrs Kinney said.
It was estimated only between a quarter and one-third of dog attacks were reported. When family, friends or neighbours were bitten they often did not want to upset the owner by complaining in case the animal was destroyed.
