23 March 2005

Dog owner agrees to have pet destroyed -- Chch City Council

The owner of a dog which attacked a young boy in the suburb of Bryndwr on Sunday has agreed to have the pet destroyed.

Mark Vincent, leader of the Christchurch City Council’s animal control team, says the owner cooperated with the team’s officer and agreed that the best course of action is to have their pet put down. The child’s parents and Animal Control agree that that is the best course and nothing more needs to be done.

The male dog, which has been in the council’s care since the attack, is not a purebred Sharpei, Mr Vincent says. In our opinion it’s got way more terrier than anything else, probably 75 per cent. It’s nothing like a purebred Sharpei.

However, parents and dog owners everywhere need to remember that all dogs, of whatever breed or mixture, have the potential to bite. When children are around the dog owner should be there supervising or they should put their dog away in a place where everyone’s safe. That’s especially true with young children. It minimises the risk of something going wrong.

CCC’s animal control team puts a lot of effort into educating city youngsters about understanding dog behaviour and bite prevention. Team members and their canine assistants aim to get around all the city’s primary schools once a year with the free education sessions.

For more information about dangerous dogs, the Dog Control Act 1996, and owners’ rights and obligations, look on the Council website at www.ccc.govt.nz/animals/PenaltiesForDogs.asp

ENDS

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