Majority of dogs survive pound

The Palmerston North City Council is impounding hundreds of dogs each year but more than half are being returned to their rightful owners.

Head of environmental protection services Wayne Jameson said last year 594 dogs were brought into the pound with 50 re-homed and 169 euthanised.

The chosen method for those who were put to sleep was a "humane" injection given by a vet.

"For as long as I can remember we've always used this method," he said. "We work in an urban area and none of our officers carry firearms."

A petition is circulating the internet calling for a Northland council to stop using shooting as their method of euthansia. It alleges the pound's dogs are lined up together and shot one by one.

Petitioner AnnMaree Mills claims the injection is an affordable option at around $10 per dose but shooting is recognised as a method of euthanasia in the code of welfare for dogs.

PNCC works closely with the SPCA, PAWS Animal Shelter and the public to find homes for unwanted dogs. Carcasses are offered to the owners, cremated or given to Massey University for study purposes.

Mr Jameson said pitbull breeds, who were classed as menacing, were not rehomed. Statistics show this breed is the most commonly impounded dog in New Zealand.

Research states their "misunderstood" nature leaves them susceptible to owners who use them for breeding or fighting and have little knowledge of how to control their dog.

The American Temperament Test Society also states pitbulls rank highly in temperament tests with 84-85 per cent pass rates.