Family pet on death row after debate on breeding

A beloved family pet is on death row for the second time in four months after a dispute between Napier and Hastings councils over the dog's breed.
Distraught owner Helena Boag told Hawke's Bay Today she can't afford the hearings committee review charge of $285 an hour to challenge the Hastings District Council's claim that her adopted dog has pit bull traits.
Earlier this year the Hastings family adopted the dog, named Jaydee, from the Napier City Council's animal shelter and was told the dog was predominantly labrador.
Ms Boag paid to have the dog vaccinated and neutered, and the pooch soon became "part of the family".
"When we adopted him he was one day away from being put down," she said. Months later she contacted the Hastings District Council about a property check which would reduce the cost of the dog registration. A council officer arrived and said he considered Jaydee was a pit bull.
The family later surrendered the dog, which was again put on death row.
After ructions between the two councils an independent assessment was made by animal control officers from Palmerston North District Council.
They found the dog exhibited 14 out of 22 pit bull characteristics and 17 out of 22 labrador characteristics.
"He's clearly labrador," Ms Boag said. The same 14 features also appeared in about 18 other breeds.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said he stood by Hastings city's decision to put the dog down.
"When there is a dispute [between councils] an independent assessment will be carried out and that decision will be final," Mr Yule said. "We will not re-home what we classify as a dangerous and menacing dog."
Mrs Boag said she couldn't afford to pay for a hearings committee review, but she didn't want her family, including two children under 10, to have to deal with having the animal euthanised.
"Jaydee has never been aggressive towards anyone. He's a very placid dog. If he bit someone maybe I could understand where this is coming from. This has just been a nightmare."
Mr Yule said Jaydee would be put down within the next two days.