Submission on dog control law presented to MPs by the father of Carolina Anderson yesterday:
Our 7-year-old daughter Carolina Anderson was severely mauled by an american staffordshire terrier in Coxs Bay Reserve, Auckland, on January 31.
The dog inflicted horrific injuries to her face, among the worst ever seen by medical staff at Middlemore Hospital.
Carolina has undergone many hours of surgery and is in for a long period of recovery, and we must be prepared for restorative surgery to her face for years to come.
There was a sign up in the park requiring dogs to be on a leash. The owners of the offending dog failed to control the animal, failed to come to Carolina's assistance, failed to call the dog off, gave a false name and number to family friends, and failed to come forward to police or the family in the days after the attack.
Because of their actions Carolina will be scarred for life. Yet under the present Dog Control Act, they face a maximum fine of $5000 and three months in jail on the charge of possessing a dangerous dog. We know that the costs to us, the victim's parents, will be substantially greater.
In light of the spate of dog attacks in New Zealand in recent months, and the hideous impact this is having on many sectors of the community, but especially children, we urge the Government to make an urgent revision to the Dog Control Act.
In making these recommendations we have reflected on our experience since January 31, the advice and ideas of those around us, the many views expressed in the media over the past 10 days. Useful parallels exist overseas (in countries such as Germany) for reforming our dog laws. Reports of Carolina's attack have made international headlines.
What happened to Carolina must not happen to anyone else in New Zealand. New Zealanders sorely need laws and implementation that keeps everyone, especially our children, safe from the threat of dog attacks.
The specific outcomes we seek are:
1. Dog control officers
Increased powers for dog officers to impound and destroy potentially dangerous dogs, as proposed in Steve Chadwick MP's private member's bill.
Better resourcing of dog control officers, particularly in hotspots such as the Far North, parts of Auckland and the upper North Island. Dog control officers to be on call 24 hours a day with more staff available at dawn and dusk.
2. Enhanced dog regulation
Compulsory registration for all dog owners, with impounding of dogs and punitive fines for non-compliance.
Compulsory use of leashes for all dogs, and muzzles for any dog breed that has been recorded as having made a serious attack.
Compulsory muzzles for all dogs over a certain height (say 40cm) and weight (say 20kg) when out of confinement of home. Licensed working dogs may be exempt from the muzzle requirement, and certain working dogs such as farm and police dogs exempt from the leash requirement.
Dogs off-limits at all playgrounds and family parks; councils to consider designation of some areas for dog exercise.
3. Stiffer sentences for owners breaking the law
Assault by a dog whose owner has not followed the act to be considered equivalent to assault with a weapon.
The Dog Control Act should be amended to suggest minimum sentences rather than maximums.
Offending owners to be permanently barred from owning dogs again.
Owners to be liable for confiscation of property to remunerate victims and government.
4. Banning of breeds
As far as practical, dog control officers and veterinarians to have powers to impound and destroy aggressive breeds or crossbreeds known to be fighting dogs.
Ban on importation of aggressive breeds or material for breeding.
5. Education
Advice on avoiding attacks and self-defence to be distributed through schools, kindergartens, libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaux, community centres.
Education programmes for owners as part of registration.
Dog owners to successfully complete dog training course at a certified training school in return for a rebate on dog licensing fees.
Educational campaign for general public, underscoring the responsibilities of dog owners, the penalties and safe practices.
We believe that such measures will not adversely affect responsible dog owners, but go a great distance toward removing the risk of dog attacks on the public.
John Anderson
Herald feature: When dogs attack
How you can help
A trust fund has been opened for 7-year-old dog attack victim Carolina Anderson. You can send a cheque to: Carolina Anderson Trust Account, BNZ, PO Box 46-294, Herne Bay, or donate over the internet to BNZ account number 020 248 000 3002-000.
The Herald is backing an appeal to raise money for a $150,000 operating-room microscope for Middlemore's plastic surgery unit. The microscope is essential in minute plastic surgery work such as reattaching nerves. Middlemore has two, used on Carolina Anderson and the victims of the Pipiroa sword attack, but they need replacing. Donations can be sent to: The Microsurgery Appeal, Editorial Department, New Zealand Herald, PO Box 706, Auckland.
