Menacing dogs to be neutered in safety move

Owners of dogs deemed 'menacing' will see their pets neutered under rules to help prevent attacks on humans in Nelson.

Nelson City Council's decision means by the end of next year breeds automatically considered menacing under the Government's Dog Control Act will have to be neutered.

American pitbulls, dogo argentinos, brazilian filas, and japanese tosas all fall into this category.

Dogs classified as menacing by the council because they have threatened people or other animals will also be neutered under the rules.

The decision was made during Tuesday's discussions on the council's dog control policy, which received a record 655 submissions.

At present 54 dogs in Nelson - 50 pitbulls, one dogo argentino, a ridgeback-cross, a st bernard and a huntaway-cross - are classified as menacing.

Environmental inspections manager Stephen Lawrence said after the meeting owners who refused to neuter their animals, could be taken to court and the dogs seized.

A maximum fine of $3000 could be imposed for non-compliance.

Nelson veterinarian Hans Andersen said the decision was "a slightly mixed bag".

"Neutering male dogs definitely does help manage dominant aggression, which is a small bit of rationale for the decision, but it makes no real difference to many other menacing behaviours."

It was important to neuter the dog when it was young, as aggressive behaviour became habit over time, Mr Andersen said.

He did not agree with the automatic classification of the four breeds as menacing, and believed education of both the dog and the owner was the key to good dog behaviour.

Dogs should be treated on a case-by-case basis, Mr Andersen said.

- NZPA