Letter to Editor Thursday November 1, 2012

Roaming dogs

I live in Kaitaia. I have had enough. There were six dog fights on the street before 10 o'clock this morning. Every day I have to chase urinating and defecating dogs off my property.

The law is quite clear about roaming dogs. If I commit a crime I get arrested and fined or jailed, but apparently dog owners who break the law are immune to any form of consequence. Pressure needs to be applied to the council to do something about the problem before a child or innocent bystander gets hurt.

The likes of the yellow and black cap brigade who think they are untouchable gangsters are actively promoting dogs to fight. Something needs to be done yesterday, not next year or "whenever".

I am sure I am not the only person in town who is concerned about this problem.

HAD ENOUGH

Kaitaia

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Far North District Council communications manager Richard Edmondson responds:

Staff have checked the council's request for service system and can find no record of a complaint by this person. However, wandering dogs are a recurring problem on this street, and the council's animal control officers patrol it on a regular basis.

Enforcement action taken in the past few weeks has included tracking the owners of dogs by following them back to their properties. Officers have warned owners to contain their dogs, and have issued notices to register to owners of unregistered dogs.

They will make further visits to the street and impound dogs found wandering despite previous warnings. Owners will have to pay fees to recover their dogs, and may be issued with dog control notices.

Officers will serve infringement notices attracting $300 fines on owners who fail to register their dogs after being served a notice to register. Failing to register the dog, or keep it confined to their property, after that could result in the council seizing the animal.

The council encourages this person to keep it informed of further developments by phoning it on 0800 920-029.

If necessary, the council can lend the person a dog trap to catch dogs that come on to their property.