'Let's Put an end to this Savagery' says Hone Harawira; Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau
Thursday 22 June 2006.

"In all the barking about micro-chipping, we are in danger of forgetting about Carolina Anderson, the young girl whose face was torn apart by an American Staffordshire terrier, and about whom this whole debate arose" said Hone Harawira, Maori Party Member of Parliament for Tai Tokerau at the conclusion of the third reading of the so-called 'Microchipping Bill' [the Dog Control Amendment Bill].

"From 1995 to 2002, more than 2,700 people had to go to hospital because of dog bites, and most of them were kids under ten" said Mr Harawira. "Sometimes in the heat of battle in the House, we get so carried away with the debate that we lose touch with the human context."

"Earlier this year, a nine-year old boy from Kaikohe had to be admitted to hospital with serious injuries from a dog attack, and just before that, a seven-year old from Kamo, got more than fifty puncture wounds when he was dragged from a tree and down his back yard by a pitbull" said Harawira.

"Dealing with dog attacks is not about micro-chipping. Now that that issue is finally put aside, let's start working on genuine solutions - education of dog owners, muzzling dangerous dogs, and getting rid of the breeds that we know to be dangerous".

"What happened to Carolina three years ago is still happening, and we must take action now to put an end to this savagery."

ENDS

© Scoop Media