3 July 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dog Celebrates 500 Members!

COME TO OUR FAMILY DOG DAY OUT, NOON SUNDAY 20 JULY, WESTERN PARK

A dog owners group (DOG) recently set up to battle for the rights of dog owners in Auckland has reached 500 members in just three weeks. President Cathy Casey says that most have people have joined up on line through their new website http://www.dog.org.nz

“Dog owners have been looking for a group that is prepared to do battle and our membership is growing daily. It’s fair to say that most dog owners in Auckland are pretty fed up with the Auckland City Council and the Government at the moment. It feels like we are being hammered from all sides. People are now realising that there is strength in collective action.”

DOG is active at a local and a national level Dr Casey says

“We are currently heavily involved in lobbying the Auckland City Council for off leash access to the city’s parks and we have also written a very strongly worded submission against the new dog control legislation.”

Dr Casey says that off leash access to local parks is the hot issue for owners at the moment and the website advises on what action can be taken:

“The Council has forgotten that most dogs live in families and if the family dog is banished from the local park, the family is too.

To reinforce that message, DOG is holding a Family Dog Day in Western Park on Sunday 20 July (rain or fine) and is inviting all interested dog owners to come along.

“We are encouraging families to bring the dog, the kids and a picnic lunch along to Western Park at noon and enjoy the company of other dog families. There’s something special about watching your dog running free.”

Dr Casey says a number of dog-owning celebrities have been invited. All media are welcome.

Membership is D.O.G. is $5. Further information from: www.dog.org.nz

© Scoop Media