Farmer stands by shooting his dog

A farmer who shot a dog in protest at being asked for his date of birth is standing behind the decision despite mounting criticism from animal welfare groups.

Alan Agnew shot his dog, Coz, after the Whangarei District Council refused to register the dog, because Agnew would not supply his date of birth.

Agnew, a small person, had considered the birth-date request a breach of privacy. He acknowledged he was sensitive about his date of birth: "I get asked by all sorts of people how old I am and I tell them it's none of their business. They're mainly interested because of my size."

However, his actions have outraged animal welfare groups. RNZ SPCA boss Robyn Kippenberger said that, legally, Agnew was allowed to shoot his dog but it was a "very extreme action".

"This dog has been forfeited for what someone feels are their civil liberties. The dog has paid for his hypersensitivity."

"The irony is that of all things, his dog would never have discriminated against him for size or anything else."

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE