Free neutering for menacing dogs

Menacing dog owners have until June 30 to take up a free offer. File photo.

Owners of ‘menacing' dogs across the city and in the Western Bay of Plenty are being offered $350 worth of neutering, microchipping, a subsidised muzzle and registration, all for free in an initiative largely funded by central government.

The offer runs until June 30 and applies to dogs that have or could be classified as menacing under the Dog Control Act 1996 due to their breed, type or behaviour.

Four breeds (Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa and Perro dePresa Canario) and one type (American Pit Bull Terrier) are automatically classified as menacing dogs.

However, any dog that council considers may pose a threat to any person or animal, may also be classified as menacing.

Tauranga City Council animal services team leader, Brent Lincoln, says in the last two years, there were 214 dog attacks in wider Western Bay.

'The sad thing is when a dog does attack, everybody loses. The victim and their family have to deal with the consequences of the injury and the dog owner can lose their pet which is often regarded as a family member.

'It's the dog owner's responsibility to ensure their dog isn't another statistic,” says Brent.

The campaign is part of a nationwide attempt to reduce dog attacks in New Zealand, and supports the proposed changes for menacing dog owners under the Dog Control Act.

One of these proposed changes will require all owners of menacing dogs to have them neutered. Western Bay of Plenty District Council's bylaw already requires this.

Neutering a dog has many positive benefits, including that the dog will be less likely to wander and get into fights, says Brent.

'Neutering simply pushes sex drive and fighting down the list of priorities allowing other activities to become more important such as working, hunting, tracking and obedience.”

Western Bay compliance and monitoring manager, Alison Curtis, says the amnesty period gives owners the chance to come forward without repercussion and take advantage of the free offer before it becomes law under the Act.

'In the Western Bay of Plenty there are 301 registered menacing dogs, but the issue is with the unknown number of unregistered menacing dogs.

'We want to promote responsible dog ownership, and push the message that if you own a high-risk dog you have a higher responsibility – and this package is a great opportunity for owners of high-risk dogs.”

To register for this package, owners of menacing dogs can call Tauranga City Council on 07 577 7000 or Western Bay District Council on 07 571 8008, or visit any of the Council's customer service centres.​

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4 comments

Great start but think about it!

Posted on 01-05-2017 12:26 | By Heathermurphy

Breed specific legislation is an absolute nightmare. Any animal can be vicious. Its menacing owners they need to be looking at. Dogs brought up correctly, trained and socialised well and balanced, happy animals. Its the idiots who are getting breeds a bad name. Please start looking at the eejit owners instead of branding breeds as the devil.


@ Heathermurphy

Posted on 01-05-2017 13:34 | By Roadkill

You are right, however the consequences are usually related to the larger breed/animals. The real question is what is the appropriate definition of a "menacing" dog? I believe that wider is better because actual dogs usually only threaten or harm one on one. There are "dogs" out there that threaten many if not all in this city, the current lot of Councillors, they really do need neutering, can we get them all in on this scheme ASAP before get into spending heaps of money the city does not have.


probably

Posted on 01-05-2017 17:45 | By usandthem

would be a better idea to have the owners neutered.


I am in!!!!

Posted on 02-05-2017 07:24 | By Jimmy

my dog threatened a pheasant the other day out of season ( just) she is already neutered, but I am up for the free registration!!, also she menaces her food and is a serious threat to the fire, what a load of rubbish, there is no excuse if your dog is not registered and attacks, simply eradicate!, problem solved!!, another waste of money catering for those that should not own dogs and with incentives like this it is possible the reverse of what Council is trying to achieve could occur.


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