7 April 2004

Dog Owners Support Council Blitz On Unregistered Dogs

DOG (Dog Owners Group) President Dr Cathy Casey is applauding moves by Auckland City Council’s animal control officers to crack down on unregistered dogs in Glen Innes.

“Responsible owners support dog registration. We have been consistent in our call for the Auckland City Council to target the estimated 2,000 plus unregistered dogs that roam this city’s streets and so we are very pleased to hear of Council’s work in Glen Innes.

“What is sad however is that 14 of the animals that were seized went unclaimed and had to be euthanased."

Dr Casey says that despite recent friction between DOG and the Council over the ticketing of owners with their dogs off leash in parks, DOG members will always supported fair rules applied fairly.

“Unregistered dogs at large are a risk to the general public. That an Animal Control officer was bitten when trying to seize one of these animals is regrettable. It does serve to underline the fact that these animals are a dangerous nuisance.

“I know of many instances where a responsible dog owner with their dog on a leash has had to fend of the aggressive advances of a roaming non-tagged animal.

Although recently critical of the increases in dog registration fees, Dr Casey said that all responsible dog owners should register their animal and thereby take responsibility for it.

“We have always said that with a dog, comes responsibility for the animal for its lifetime. That starts with registering yourself as the dog’s legal owner.”

“Law-abiding dog owners are fed up with a minority flouting the law. Everyone gets punished by the actions of a few,” she said.

“Council has the full support of DOG in getting these roaming unregistered dogs off the streets.”

ENDS

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