Taranaki Federated Farmers

19 May 2006

Dogchipping Action Planned In Taranaki

Taranaki Federated Farmers is urging farmers and dog owners from throughout the region to attend a protest against dog micro chipping.

The event will take place at 10am, Monday 22 May, outside Taranaki MP Harry Duynhoven's office, 158 Tukapa St, New Plymouth.

The president of the Taranaki province of Federated Farmers, Bryan Hocken, has an appointment scheduled with the MP at the time of the rally.

Under the Dog Control Amendment Act, all dogs registered after July this year must be implanted with a microchip.

Micro chipping will do nothing to prevent dog attacks, and will add cost for no reason. Federated Farmers estimates micro chipping will cost $50-$110 per dog. Some farmers have up to 20 dogs.

Mr Hocken is expecting at least 100 people and 50 dogs to attend the rally.

"People have described the compulsory micro chipping law as a dog's breakfast. It has gone beyond that so we are staging a dog's morning tea with original "pikechips" on the menu," said Mr Hocken.

Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) is planning a national protest alongside the national sheep dog trials in Omarama on June 2. For more details visit www.fedfarm.org.nz .

ENDS

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