MPs make a bit of a howler

An effort by National Party MPs Nick Smith and David Carter to score political points by claiming farmers could be jailed for up to six months for not washing and drying their dogs' bowls has proved to have more bark than bite.

Mr Carter, National's agriculture spokesman, accused Labour of trying to strangle the humble farm dog with red tape.

"A farmer could be jailed for six months, fined $25,000 or be banned from having animals for failing to clean his dog's dishes daily, or for having a draughty kennel," he said.

And Dr Smith detailed parts of the Animal Welfare (Dogs) code of welfare fourth draft, which he claimed said food scraps should be removed daily, food and water containers washed daily, and containers dried in a manner which does not spread any infectious disease.

But all the excited yapping turned out to be a dog day afternoon.

A spokeswoman for Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton said: "Dr Smith and Mr Carter are referring to a version currently being drafted by Federated Farmers and other stakeholders - it hasn't yet gone to the minister.

"The new code will go through many more drafts before it comes anywhere near Government."

- NZPA