Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Marc My Words -


Marc My Words

United Future NZ-Christchurch Supplement

Much has been written about wayward dogs of late. This is hardly surprising considering the ordeal of Michaela Haar in Christchurch and the savage mauling of seven-year-old Carolina Anderson in Auckland. Both stories, while being merely the tip of the iceberg with regard to the violence done by dogs, are qualitatively quite different.

Michaela was bitten when she put her nose through a hole in a gate of a private home. As terrible as it was for her (she will require some plastic surgery as a result), and despite the dog breaching the Dog Control Act, it may be reasonable to question where the parental control was. A four year old cannot be held responsible for her inquisitiveness but similarly, a dog properly fenced in its own home by responsible dog owners should not have to second guess the parental obligations of another.

The Auckland case is another matter entirely. A park or reserve is a public area where those who enjoy it are entitled to expect to be safe from harm. Those that flout the rules by letting their dogs go off the leash are as culpable as if driving drunk or walking into a Mall with a loaded firearm. The only difference is the choice of weapon. And lets face it, a dog can certainly fit the description of a weapon; the police use them and so do some members of the public who are fearful of a home invasion.

And the solution?

All dog owners are presently required to obtain a license. I suggest that we raise the cost of these licenses to a level that pays for these violations. Additionally we could offer a substantial rebate to those who obtain certification from a council recognized dog obedience school. We should then attach penalties to dog owners in proportion to the consequence and in line with other means by which such a result could occur. From a victims point of view it matters not one jot that the crime was visited upon them by knife, cricket bat or dog.


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.