PM silent on breed ban in new dog law

The Government will announce next week proposed new dog control laws sparked by a rash of vicious dog attacks this year.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday that the Cabinet had completed proposals on how to tighten the dog control legislation, details of which would be released next week.

The changes would be done through an amendment to the Local Government Law Reform Bill (No 2), which was hastily sent to the local government and environment select committee for consideration.

All other parts of the bill have been passed, but the section covering dogs was held back because of concerns about how it would work. It bans American pit bull terriers but is flexible enough to allow other breeds to be added to a restricted list.

Local Government Minister Chris Carter has considered mandatory microchip tracking. He said it would help to track dangerous or unregistered dogs if their owners shifted cities as, under present legislation, it was possible for a dog to be deemed dangerous in one city but not in another.

Helen Clark said she hoped owners would accept the proposed changes.

"Most dog owners are responsible dog owners and we're looking ... to get a balance between the 99.9 per cent of the public who have a dog they love and look after, and the others, who cause a lot of trouble."

- NZPA