A Man’s Best Friend

The Government hasrecently introduced a Billto improve and extendthe current Dog ControlAct, and is inviting the public to offer their suggestions.
Some options of the new Bill look at further amendments to the current system. For example,

If a dog is classified as dangerous should it be destroyed?
What defines “dangerous” behaviour?
There are currently four dog breeds banned from importation - should there be more?
Should more dogs be neutered?
Would there be a benefit in tightening the rules about probationary ownership and dog containment?

One option raised in the discussion document hints at a fundamental change to the current dog control regime - the idea of owner licensing.

The impacts of owner licensing would be substantial.

In August 2007 there were 484,358 dogs recorded on the National Dog Database. Of these, 4,996 were classified as menacing and 481 were classified as dangerous.

For more information, to view the discussion document, or to make a submission visit the Department of Internal Affairs' website