The Local Government Law Reform Bill, proposing the phasing out of dangerous dog breeds from New Zealand, recently had its second reading in Parliament.

Brian Neeson said: "While he was pleased that the Bill provides for the phased elimination of American Pit Bull Terriers and would prevent the importation of their embryos and semen, he was horrified that powers would only be applied to the American Pit Bull Terrier."

Mr Neeson has sent a submission to the Internal Affairs and Local Government Select Committee strongly recommending that breeds such as the Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Brazilian Fila also be classified as "Dogs of a Restricted Class" in the Bill.

The Cross Party Committee on dangerous breeds unanimously agreed in their report to the Minister of Local Government that there was enough compelling evidence from around the world to consider the above breeds dangerous in domestic situations. The conclusion is that these dogs were bred not for companionship but lethal purposes and must be eliminated for public safety.

"There are enough dangerous dogs in New Zealand due to bad owners, without allowing dog breeds which are purpose bred to kill into the country", said Mr Neeson. "They must be included in the Bill presently before the Select Committee".

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>