A WANGANUI woman has labelled the District Council's animal safety workers as a bunch of "lazy negligent fools".
Marie Read is furious at the way the nightmare surrounding the death of her little dog was handled by the animal rangers last week.
Her dog Squirty, a faithful little 12-year-old fox terrier, was mauled to death on Tuesday by a neighbour's pit bull terrier at her property in Wanganui East.
Squirty was dragged out of his kennel by the savage pit bull who had jumped the gate, ripped the wire run, dragged little Squirty out and killed him.
Three times Mrs Read had tried to get the council dog ranger to take action and do something about the prowling pit bull.
But no one was listening, least of all the terrorising dog's owners, she said.
"They're absent owners, who commute between Auckland and here. I've asked so many times for that dog to be contained. It was plainly obvious the dog was dangerous and a menace. Everyone around here knew it."
Squirty was one of four small foxies owned by Ms Read on her rural property and last week's rampage by the marauding pit bull had been plaguing her for days.
"I'd caught the dog on my property over a week ago and left two messages with the dog ranger. I even threatened to call a friend to shoot the dog because I was trapped inside my house with my dogs."
The ranger told her the owners were on their way back and that "I was not to consider getting the dog shot".
He said the owner had promised to keep the dog secure, she said.
But the killer dog was back on the loose a few days later, this time determined to deal to Squirty.
A frantic call to her at work confirmed the worst and by the time she got home, the dog ranger had the pit bull locked in a cage.
But Squirty died just 10 minutes later on the vet's table.
Even though the Wanganui District Council said on Wednesday they were pursuing the destruction of the pit bull through the District Court, Ms Read said the action was too late.
"It's not going to bring Squirty back. I tried to tell them the dog was dangerous the first time it came round. What did they do? Locked the dog up then gave it back to it's owner so it could get on the loose again and roam the street."
Mayor Michael Laws said yesterday the animal control officers were bound by law and council policy to impound straying dogs especially those deemed to be of menacing breed.
The pit bull in question was impounded, the registration and fine paid by the owner, and then the pit bull was released. The pit bull's owner then, allegedly, broke the law and the pit bull again strayed this time killing Mrs Read's dog.
"This is the reason why the council is seeking both to destroy the pit bull and prosecute the owner." "The dog had not previously displayed aggressive tendencies, as far as I'm aware," Mr Laws said.
"I'm not sure that you can blame animal control officers for the allegedly illegal actions of others. The courts will have the final say on this matter."
"I will be seeking a further report from council animal control officers on the policies that they pursue when rounding up stray dogs of menacing breed. As I currently understand the law, they do not have the power to destroy such dogs simply for straying," Mr Laws said.
"If had my way, I would have all menancing breeds of dogs banned in Wanganui. There is nothing redeeming at all about these kind of dogs."
Dead dog's owner blasts 'lazy, negligent' council staff
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