Laws 'won't stop attacks'

Tough new dog control laws will not prevent attacks such as those in which a golden retriever dog belonging to former New Zealand Olympic boss Bill Garlick mauled a toddler's face this year, says the New Zealand Kennel Club.

Garlick had been ordered to hand over his 8-year-old dog, Sam, yesterday to Featherston police for destruction after it tore a toddler's face at a Wairarapa property in March.

Kennel Club executive director George Mills said execution was an appropriate penalty for dogs that attacked humans, but the Government's proposed new dog laws would not prevent similar future attacks.

"The Government law won't stop any dog from attacking ... in this case the dog went through the fence [to the neighbouring property]. There are already laws in place in relation to that."

- NZPA