NZ First ensures dog microchipping

By AUDREY YOUNG and NZPA

Compulsory implants of microchips in dogs is set to become law after New Zealand First confirmed today that it will back the minority Government in Parliament next week over the proposal.

But the law will apply only to dogs being registered for the first time from 2006, as well as to dangerous and menacing dogs and impounded dogs.

Tougher dog laws were proposed after a series of dangerous attacks, including the savaging of 7-year-old Auckland girl Carolina Anderson.

The Government's Local Government Law Reform (No 2) Bill originally proposed universal microchipping of dogs for identification.

But a select committee modified microchipping to apply only to dangerous, menacing and impounded dogs.

Local Government Minister Chris Carter gave notice this week that the Government would persist with its original proposal and change the committee's amendments to the bill when it is before the House next week.

The committee also recommended a more relaxed approach to fencing than was proposed - and that will stand.

The bill will require owners to confine dogs on their property when not under direct control, rather than requiring them to be securely contained, and will require that there be unimpeded access to at least one door.

The legislation also:

* Bans the importing of four breeds - American pitbulls, Brazilian filas, Japanese tosas and dogo argentinos - and sets up ways for Parliament to ban more breeds in future.

* Requires dogs identified by dog-control officers as being menacing to be neutered and to be muzzled in public.

* Sets an expectation that dogs will be leashed in public places, particularly where there are children.

Microchipping will be linked to a national database of dog registration.

Mr Carter said the Government would pay the $1 million set-up cost of the database and, if all dogs were registered, annual running costs would be 53c an animal.

But not all dogs are registered. There are up to 30,000 dogs in Manukau City, but just 18,700 are registered.

New Zealand First MP Jim Peters said microchipping would have to be carried out by experienced dog-handlers.

"One vet told me there is nothing worse than having a pure white three-month-old dog with a microchip that did not go quite well and the owner fainting at the sight of the dog's blood down the back of the neck, which is where the chip would be inserted."

National MP Dr Paul Hutchison said his party was unlikely to support universal micropchipping, although it would support the bill.*

"The trouble with universal microchipping is that it places extra compliance costs on the responsible owners."

Act leader Richard Prebble said from the United States that "putting a microchip in Aunty Flo's miniature poodle is one of the silliest measures any Government has ever proposed."

Microchip identification

An example of the problem:

* Number of dogs in Manukau City: 30,000

* Number registered: 18,700

CORRECTION: In the original version of this story we stated incorrectly that the National Party would not support the Bill.