Bob Kerridge: Microchip implants best thing since canned food

The Government has responded to a flood of public pressure to address the dog problem, the result of a spate of well-publicised dog attacks, mainly on children.

And respond it has, with a raft of regulations designed to take positive steps to rid the community of undesirable dogs and to arm enforcement agencies with the power to deal with errant owners.

Will the efforts succeed? First, it is evident that a considerable number of carefully considered recommendations submitted by a number of organisations (including the SPCA) have been taken on board. This does Local Government Minister Chris Carter and the Government much credit.

It is to be hoped this attitude will continue to prevail when the laws are implemented.

The most significant and daringly positive item is the introduction (at long last) of the microchip identification of all dogs. This will eventually become a compulsory part of registration.

There is no more positive method of identifying a dog with its owner than the microchip and, as a tool in the enforcement of owner responsibility, it is second to none.

Stray dogs will no longer need to be impounded but can be immediately returned to their errant owners. Dangerous dogs can no longer be moved from district to district without their status and history being known to all.

Dogs involved in incidents of any kind can be immediately identified by its correct breed and owner. And from an animal welfare perspective, injured dogs can be immediately attended to after contact with the absent owner.

Some may perceive the cost of this to be an added burden to the already overburdened dog owner (and here some negotiation with the veterinary profession should be undertaken). But as an assurance that, if in difficulty, my dog would be returned, I would consider this a small price to pay.

Secondly, banning the importation of the pitbull (and three other fighting dogs) is a step that, although 16 years too late, is welcome. But having taken that historic leap, I hope it is the last we hear of breed-specific legislation.

Let's now turn our attention to individually classified dangerous dogs based neither on their type nor their size but on their individual behaviour. Once classified, let's control them by protecting the public from their intrusion into the community.

Such dogs should be desexed, securely fenced with appropriate signs, subjected to higher registration fees, and leashed and muzzled in public places.

The increased powers provided to dog control officers will help enforcement, and the increase in penalties for offences under the Dog Control Act is also welcome - so long as the judiciary takes heed of this.

There is, however, some distance to travel before a fair and effective system of dog control is in place.

Of particular significance is that local authorities are still provided with the mechanisms to make their own bylaws. Words in the minister's announcement - such as "discretionary powers", an ability to "increase infringement fees by up to 150 per cent" and various "directions to territorial authorities" to decide on certain issues - fill me with fear.

It is this type of abrogation of lawmaking to territorial authorities that has created the situation in Auckland by which registration fees vary from $30 to $68 for neutered dogs depending on where you live, late-fee payments range from $45 to $102, impounding fees vary from $25 to $65 and the number of dogs to each household ranges from two to an unconfirmed number. The leash law applies in conditions that vary almost suburb to suburb, and free-range areas for dogs in some areas are non-existent.

Enforcement will never be effective unless it is consistent nationwide, and this should include such aspects as:

* A reasonable registration fee for entire (un-neutered) dogs, with a significant reduction for desexed and working dogs and an equally significant increase for dangerous dogs.

* A standard level of impounding fees and instant fines.

* A consistent leash law in public places and an acceptable number of exercise areas, including parks or portions of parks.

* Adoption conditions from all pounds to include a temperament assessment of the dog before giving it a home, desexing, and placing dogs only with approved owners.

* A programmed training procedure for all dog control officers to ensure the level of enforcement is consistent throughout the country.

Additionally, education would help to prevent incidents caused by ignorance. The production of a nationwide handbook of owner responsibilities, resulting in the issuing of an owner's licence (which could be revoked if the law was abused), would be the most effective way of providing the basic knowledge necessary for responsible dog ownership.

This, combined with educating young children about dog behaviour as part of the school curriculum at level one, would do much to reduce the number of unfortunate attacks.

Let's move positively forward with these initiatives to ensure that dogs, their owners and the public can enjoy the harmonious relationship we all seek from our canine companions.

* Bob Kerridge is the chief executive of the Auckland SPCA.