Dog Owners Face Off Against Council

Angry Auckland dog owners faced Auckland City Council at an Annual Plan meeting on Wednesday night to demand that Council rescind its “zero tolerance” policy with respect to dog bylaw infringements. The policy that was recently supported by the City Development Committee means that owners with dogs off leash (regardless of whether they are under control) in a public place receive instant $500 fines with no warning.

DOG (Dog Owners Group) President Dr Cathy Casey said that the “zero tolerance” policy was introduced by Animal Control officers in February 2003 in the wake of the attack on Carolina Anderson and had now been in place for 17months.

“It is tantamount to harassment to continue to target responsible dog owners in this way. We are puzzled as to why elected members would vote to continue this grossly unfair revenue gathering exercise that has no independent appeal process.”

At the meeting, Dr Casey introduced Kay Arnold of St Marys Bay who described to the Council her feelings when she was “stalked” and ticketed by an animal control officer on a lonely stretch of Meola reef.

“Kay’s story of being threatened with fines totalling $2000 and “stood over” touched many councillors. It was good for them to hear what “zero tolerance” actually means for responsible dog owners like Kay. Kay only unleashed her two Labradors because the delegated dog exercise area at Meola Reef was underwater that very wet morning.”

Dr Casey says that at the meeting, there was obvious confusion about the “zero tolerance” policy with many Councillors believing that the policy had been set by Central Government.

“It makes me shudder that our elected members can make such a decision without really knowing what they are voting about and why. One has to ask, who is advising councillors on the options available to them? Central Government tells us that local authorities have discretion when applying the dog bylaws. Last night Auckland City Councillors told us that hey have no discretion to issue warnings. Both cannot be right. DOG will be taking the matter up with the Minister of Local Government” Dr Casey said.

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