Responsible dog owners say the people who let their dogs roam should be the ones who are charged more. Your feedback keeps coming in on the proposed increase to the dog registration fee, revealed by The Aucklander on February 23. Submissions on Auckland's Long Term Plan close on March 23 and can be made on the council website.
Auckland Council is currently proposing to increase the registration I pay for my de-sexed, micro-chipped dog, as a licensed dog owner, from $47 to $120.
It would appear their logic (or lack of) for this is that those of us who register our dogs and act as responsible owners should not only be paying for those who don't, but for all Animal Control services throughout the Auckland region!
If the Council thinks that by punishing responsible dog owners they will make those owners who do not attend to the welfare or safety of their dogs better owners, then they are sadly deluded.
Tragically, throughout the Auckland area many thousands of dogs are euthanised annually because of over-population, straying or economic problems for the owners.
There are thousands of dogs relinquished to shelters and pounds every year as registration time comes around, and this number can be expected to increase.
If Auckland is serious about animal welfare they should punish those who over-breed, allow their dogs to roam, do not meet the welfare of their dogs and do not register their dogs.
Excuse my cynicism, but it is impossible to accept that this method of punishing those of us who do conform to rules and regulations is nothing more than revenue gathering. - Nina Barnao, Parnell
How can the council have the effrontery to attempt to push through these enormous hikes in fees without liaison with dog owners?
It is totally unfeeling and in view of all the "proposed" alteration to off-leash parks, unforgivable. The council would be better employed to fine the people who do not license their dogs or house them correctly and not penalise law-abiding folk.
If the council is so intent on revenue gathering they are missing out on a great one. License bicycles and make the owners sit a test on road rules for, obviously, many do not know or have any respect for them!
User pays in our current society so let this very vocal segment pay also for all their demands! - Val Sinfield, St Heliers
I'm fed up with the anti-cycling sentiment around Auckland. Even dog owners are now claiming: "Why should I license my dog, what about bicycles?"
To these people I say: "My bike doesn't crap on the footpath, randomly attack people, sneak over the fence to have sex with other bikes, and I can also leave my bike alone for months without the council having to deal with complaints about it howling in loneliness."
Seriously though, dog owners are getting ripped off by the registration hikes, but please stop pointing the finger at cyclists. From now on for each comment demanding registration of bikes I will run one red light, terrorise a pedestrian and kick a car. ;-) - William Hicks, Remuera
We, too, are dog-responsible ratepayers who are left flabbergasted at the idea of raising dog registrations, which was hidden but found "buried" in the third volume of the [Draft] Long Term Plan for Aucklanders.
Len Brown has a lot to learn in regards to underestimating the power of the people who, quite frankly, are paying his and all his underlings' pay cheque! It is clear that the dogs will be the ones who will suffer at this archaic plan.
The SPCA has a hard enough time and this situation will only worsen.
Leave the responsible animal lovers and defenceless animals out of your tax raising schemes. We love our animals and to think some families and elders on limited income have to let their pet go because of this ridiculous scheme borders on dictatorship.
How could you sleep at night knowing the anguish you and your council will inflict on your own people? Take this proposal out now before you make a huge moral mistake. - P. Mackay