Dog owners get the message

Seven-year-old Oscar and his owner, Ellen Haretuku, enjoyed themselves at the Far North District Council's Dog Day in Kaikohe last week.

The Far North District Council says a 100 per cent success rate in dog-related prosecutions this financial year, seven from seven, combined with increased emphasis on responsible ownership, is sending a clear message to dog owners.

Last week, the council's Animal Management Unit successfully prosecuted two owners, from Russell and Kaitaia.

In the same week the council ran a pilot 'chip it and snip it' programme in Kaikohe that resulted in 85 dogs being microchipped and 80 signed up for free neutering.

Compliance manager Darren Edwards said those results exceeded expectations, and made a good case for taking the offer to other communities.

Microchipping, neutering and registering dogs were key to responsible ownership, which the council was trying to encourage, but it also had to send a clear message that owners who refused to control their dogs would be prosecuted.

One of those prosecuted last week was a Russell man who admitted owning a dog that attacked protected wildlife. (It had been seen wandering with a dead weka in its mouth.)

He was convicted and fined $500, plus court costs, and was also convicted and fined $130 on each of three charges of failing to keep his dog under control.

Mr Edwards said he was happy with the outcome. There had been a lot of media interest and public speculation on social media about the case, but the council had been unable to say much because of the pending court action.

"What I would like to highlight now is that this dog was well known to Animal Management staff. Prior to taking the prosecution the council issued three infringement notices and a dog control notice," he said.

The dog had also been fitted with a 'shock collar' to deter her from wandering.

"Russell is a high-density kiwi environment, where dogs must be kept under control at all times. Unfortunately, this dog was not under control," he added.

The court had ordered the dog's destruction, but the council was trying to find her a new home.

Last week's second prosecution saw a Kaitaia owner fined $500 and banned from owning dogs for five years, after an incident in December where another dog was attacked.

The owner was ordered to pay $200 in damages and $156 in reparation, while the council was awarded costs of $165 and ordered to destroy the dog.

Mr Edwards said both cases proved the council would prosecute when necessary, although court action was a last resort.

"Our preference is to educate dog owners, but we will prosecute serious and repeat offenders when necessary," he said.