Proposals to reduce dog harm

The Brazilian mastiff is one of the restricted breeds of dog under the new rules being welcomed by animal advocates. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Further proposals to reduce the risk and harm of dog attacks has been given a tentative thumbs up from local animal welfare advocates and authorities, but with provisos.

Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston recently announced a second tranche of proposals as part of the national action plan on dogs, including measures to ensure the owners of high-risk dogs are fit for the job, introduce stricter penalties for owners of dogs that attack, and improve data about dog attacks.

"We will require owners of dogs classified as menacing or dangerous to obtain a 'high-risk dog-owner licence' from their council. Owners will need to show they are capable of handling a high-risk dog, show they understand their legal obligations and have their property inspected. The dog's temperament will also need to be tested," Ms Upston said.

"Licence holders will be the only exception for the adoption of menacing dogs from animal shelter."

Maximum penalties for dog attacks causing serious injury will also be increased, and offences causing endangerment or injury will be extended to include incidents occurring on private property, not just public spaces.

Hawke's Bay's Watchdog! chairwoman Jessica Maxwell said any change to the laws that put more responsibility for the behaviour of dogs on to their owners had to be a positive step.

"One of the problems, though, is that many of the more aggressive dogs are not registered, so it's a case of tracking down the owner and holding them accountable."

Hastings community safety manager John Payne said he had not yet seen the details of the proposals, but he also had concerns about the fact that a lot of the dogs that attacked and caused problems were unregistered.

"Even getting a menacing or dangerous classification requires that the dog is registered."

He added that there were significant penalties that could be applied under current laws, but often the courts did not apply the penalties to the extent that they could.

Nationally, the SPCA was supportive of the provision in the proposal to regulate dog breeders, said SPCA New Zealand acting chief executive Andrea Midgen.

"We hope that if this is implemented, there will be fewer 'backyard breeders' and a reduction in the unwanted dog population that our SPCA centres have to respond to.

"This is a success for us and it's a great result for the animals. But there is still more work to be done. Over the coming months the SPCA will continue to work with the Department of Internal Affairs and Minister Upston and will address areas of concern and areas for improvement with this proposal in the select committee process."

Ms Upston intends to introduce legislation in February. ● For the 2014-15 year there were 120 reported dog attacks on humans and animals in Napier, while for the 2015-16 year the figure had reduced to 99.

In the Hastings District there were 124 infringements and two prosecutions in the 2014-2015 year (a drop from 361 infringements and three prosecutions the year before), and 2646 complaints lodged.