By VERNON SMALL deputy political editor
The Government is considering tougher controls on dangerous dogs, including a requirement that certain breeds be kept on a leash and muzzled in public.
The measures are likely to give stronger powers to dog control officers and increase penalties for owners of dogs that offend.
Prime Minister Helen Clark outlined the steps under consideration yesterday after the mauling of 7-year-old Carolina Anderson.
She expects to meet Carolina's father, John Anderson, at Parliament tomorrow.
Mr Anderson wants all dogs to be on leashes and muzzled in public.
Helen Clark said she had asked Local Government Minister Chris Carter to prepare a paper on changes needed to protect the public.
"There are enough horrible dog attacks on innocent members of the public to suggest that we haven't got it right yet," she said.
It appeared animal control officers needed more powers to seize potentially dangerous dogs.
That could include the right to seize animals on private land - a power which may have been intended by Parliament in a law change in 1966 but which had not be interpreted that way.
"I am also prepared to see consideration given to increased penalties to reinforce the seriousness of the offence," Helen Clark said.
"Owners must take responsibility for what their dogs do when they break the law."
The Government would also look at laws overseas, such as in Amsterdam where breeds and their cross breeds had been defined as dangerous. They could then be required to be on leashes and muzzled at all times when outside confinement.
While this fell short of Mr Anderson's recommendation, Helen Clark said it might "cross the threshold of public tolerance" to suggest every dog should be on a leash and muzzled.
The owner of a dog that attacks people or animals can now be fined up to $1500. If the dog causes serious injury, it can be destroyed and the owner fined $5000 or jailed for three months.
Dog control officers cannot seize a dog for rushing or threatening behaviour and can seize only dogs roaming at large - not on private property.
Officers are also unable to seize or retain a dog if an officer believes the dog will cause harm or the owner will let it offend again.
Leader of the House Michael Cullen is to ask Parliament to refer to its local government select committee a bill seeking to ban dangerous breeds of dogs.
The Local Government Law Reform Bill (No 2) was introduced in 1999 and is 39th on Parliament's list of legislative priorities.
All its measures have been passed into law except for the provision on dogs. That was held back because of concerns over how it would work in practice.
The bill lists only one breed of dog - the american pit bull terrier - in its proposed schedule of restricted dogs.
But it provides for others to be added.
* Holland bans the breeding and keeping of american pit bull terriers and requires certificates of pedigree for dogs that "look like a pit bull" such as the american staffordshire terrier and the staffordshire bull terrier.
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.
