Call for consultation on animal control

Wayne Bradshaw

Dog lovers who called for an inquiry into the Hastings District Council dog pound are questioning the terms of reference of a review of the council's animal control service.

The Council has appointed former Tauranga council environmental compliance manager John Payne as an independent consultant to do the review, with mayor Lawrence Yule saying it follows public criticism of the council's animal control staff and policies.

When he announced the review into the council dog pound this week Mr Yule said: "The terms of reference have been developed to ensure a wide ranging review of the whole operation and I am confident that Mr Payne has the credentials and experience to bring an impartial view to the process."

One complainant, Havelock North woman Jessica Maxwell, believes terms of reference giving the council chief executive sole responsibility for decisions on releasing any of the report could protect those who may have endorsed or been responsible for "harsh conditions" at the pound.

Another, Ann Redstone, asks: "Why the secrecy when the review is being conducted at our request?"

Councillor Wayne Bradshaw believes dog control in Hastings has become obsessed with dangerous and menacing dogs, and ignored the "nuts and bolts" of the majority whose animals provide little or no problem in the area.

Mr Bradshaw, who in commenting last month on a draft of the terms of reference sent to councillors wanted the report public, says the issues are important to a lot of people.

"We want people to have faith in the outcome," he said.

Ms Maxwell said: "This review is being undertaken purely due to the fury vented at the public meeting in Flaxmere and immense criticism through the media."

"The public is entitled to have unfettered access to Mr Payne's report in its entirety, otherwise it simply becomes a mockery and a council cover-up."