Dog owners see likely law today

By KATHERINE HOBY AND NZPA

The Government will today announce proposed new dog control laws sparked by a rash of vicious dog attacks this year.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said that the Cabinet had completed proposals on how to tighten the dog control legislation.

The changes would be done through an amendment to the Local Government Law Reform Bill (No 2), which was hastily sent to the local government and environment select committee for consideration.

All other parts of the bill have been passed, but the section covering dogs was held back because of concerns about how it would work.

It bans american pit bull terriers, but is flexible enough to allow other breeds to be added to a restricted list.

Local Government Minister Chris Carter has considered mandatory microchip tracking.

He said it would help to track dangerous or unregistered dogs if their owners shifted cities, as it was possible for a dog to be deemed dangerous in one city but not in another.

Helen Clark said she hoped owners would accept the proposed changes.

"Most dog owners are responsible dog owners and we're looking ... to get a balance between the 99.9 per cent of the public who have a dog they love and look after, and the others, who cause a lot of trouble."

It is expected the laws will be stricter after a rash of attacks, starting with a horrific one on an Auckland child, Carolina Anderson.

Carolina's father John Anderson, who has campaigned for tougher controls, is looking forward to hearing what the reforms are.

"There is a need to make clear the requirements for responsible dog owners and increase the penalties for irresponsible owners," he said.

"There is also an urgent need to broaden dog education to ensure innocent people aren't victims of attacks."

He said he knew what he and his supporters were hoping for and would "wait and see" before commenting further.

Seven-year-old Carolina was savaged by a dog at the Coxs Bay Reserve in Westmere at the end of January.