Hundreds of dog-related complaints

Carterton District Council had hundreds of dog-related complaints during the past financial year, equal to almost one for every 10 registered dogs.

A report scheduled to be tabled at today’s council meeting says there were 240 complaints in the year ending June 30, while there are 2682 registered dogs in the district.

Of the 240, three were reports of dogs biting people and eight of stock being attacked.

Three dogs in the district were classified as menacing during the period, and three different dogs were classified as dangerous.

Most issues related to barking and wandering dogs, with 44 and 57 complaints respectively. ‘Rushing – which is when a dog runs at people, startling them – was the subject of 10 complaints.

There were 30 dogs recorded as lost, and 42 impounded.

CDC reported three dogs were euthanised, three surrendered to other organisations for rehoming, and 30 returned to their owners.

The council also issued seven infringement notices during the year for failing to keep a dog controlled or confined. A further 12 infringements were issued for failing to register a dog. There were no prosecutions for dog-related offences during the year.

The report noted that a key area of focus for animal control officers was the control of dogs in public places.

The council also provides ‘doggy doo’ dumpster bins near dog exercise areas and in urban streets. Officers monitor these areas to ensure compliance.

“Dogs in specified public places and the CBD must be on a leash at all times,” the report said.

“Council provides dog owners with information regarding education programmes and obedience courses and offers dog owners a discount on registration fees for neutered/spayed dogs.

“Council promotes the local dog obedience and kennel club, and a local dog obedience trainer.”

As a council, CDC is required to manage and enforce the Dog Control Act 1996. The report is one of the annual requirements of the Act.

The report is due to be adopted at today’s council meeting, after which it will be published.

More information at: cdc.govt.nz/services/animal-control/dog-access

– NZLDR

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