John Payne appointed Animal Management manager

The man who has been driving change at the Hastings District Council’s Animal Management Centre over the last year has been appointed as the new permanent manager.

John Payne was contracted by council in 2014 to report on the state of the facility, and prepare an improvement plan.

“His qualifications are impressive, and council is very pleased to have been able to secure his services permanently,” said council’s regulatory services manager John O’Shaughnessy.

After 22 years as an “on the ground” dog control officer and studying the principles of canine behaviour at tertiary level, Mr Payne went on to publish dog behaviour material, used in New Zealand and Australia. That had led to preparing and running dog bite prevention programmes, and lecturing on dog behaviour at polytechnics to animal care students. At a national level, he had advised the Department of Internal Affairs on dog control matters and formulated good practise guidelines, used to set industry standards.

Mr Payne’s brief in Hastings was to pinpoint changes required in council’s then Dog Control Services – physical, such as the pound building, processes and personnel.

Over the last 12 months, as change manager, Mr Payne had overseen improvements in all three areas, with the most obvious being the construction of the new kennel facilities, said Mr O’Shaughnessy.

“We welcome John to this permanent role. There were some exceptional applicants for the position, however John’s background and experience, as well as the very visible improvements he has already made to our service, meant his application stood out.”

ENDS

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