Microchip law given low priority in Masterton

Masterton district councillors went to the dogs last night, deciding a new law requiring dogs to be microchipped for identification purposes would be handled in slow motion.
It's up to councils to enforce the new law, which requires all dogs first registered from July to be microchipped.
But in Masterton, dog control staff will be instructed to treat microchipping enforcement as a low priority.
So incensed were councillors about the microchipping requirement, especially of working dogs, they wholeheartedly supported councillor Rod McKenzie's call for his council to respect the Dog Control Act, but treat the microchipping in a low key way.
They stopped short of excusing dangerous, menacing or impounded dogs, which most agreed should be microchipped for public safety.
They also called for the region's mayors and its MP John Hayes to unite and take a delegation to Parliament to express concerns about compulsory microchipping.
Mr McKenzie said the requirement to microchip working dogs on farms was "utter rubbish".
"Way back in 1980, there was talk of finding ways to control problem dogs, even by poisoning, and the politicians didn't have the guts.
"Now they're wanting us councils to do the job for them.
"We should be going to tell the Government to get nicked."
He said at least by giving the job a low priority, the council was staying within the law, but it was giving a clear message to staff that there were more important things to do.
Several councillors agreed with Mr McKenzie regarding farm dogs, but wanted to see problem dogs located and microchipped.
"Having been bitten as a policeman, I know how it feels," said councillor Jonathan Hooker. "I suggest applying it across the board would make sure the bad dogs are pinpointed."
Mayor Bob Francis felt there had been an over-reaction to dog attacks on children but couldn't help feeling it was a good way to identify the dangerous dogs.
Councillor Garry Daniell pointed out the council was obliged to enforce the law, but he could not see the point of microchipping rural dogs when the majority of problem dogs were in the urban area.
Councillor Chris Petersen agreed it was an urban issue and that microchipping was a response to a public outcry.
He noted comments the Masterton council had collected from other councils, including one from Tauranga City council that said the greatest hurdle its dog control officers found was being able to track repeat offending dogs.
Councillor Owen Perry agreed with Mr McKenzie's opposition to microchipping dogs. But he thought the microchips should be placed in the "mongrel owners" rather than the problem dogs.
"Once re-offending, they could be shot, all at the small cost of $1.25 for the bullet."