Speeches

Dog Control Amendment Bill - Third Reading Speech

Chris Carter

03.02.2004

I am pleased to have the opportunity to present this Bill to the House. It is a further milestone in meeting the changing expectations we have about what is, and what isn't, responsible dog ownership.

Hon Chris Carter
Minister of Local Government

Mr Speaker, I move that the Dog Control Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to present this Bill to the House. It is a further milestone in meeting the changing expectations we have about what is, and what isn’t, responsible dog ownership.

That much of the Bill reported back from the Select Committee was unanimously supported shows there is clearly widespread political support to do more to improve dog control.

Mr Speaker, following a series of particularly vicious dog attacks that occurred last summer, Parliament referred back to the Local Government and Environment Committee the Local Government Law Reform Bill (No 2). This Bill was principally about eliminating American Pit Bull terriers.

The House gave the Committee the power to consider and adopt new amendments relating to the care and control of dogs. The Government for its part provided the Committee with a broader set of proposals to consider than those in the original Bill.

Collectively these proposals aimed to improve public safety from dog attacks.

City and district councils are at the forefront of dog control. We must provide them with the right tools and powers to ensure that, as far as possible, dogs with the potential to be aggressive are kept from doing harm, and that their owners have a clear understanding of their responsibilities. This Bill does that.

For those owners who won’t take their responsibilities seriously this Bill will give them some sharp reminders.

This Bill is NOT about preventing people from owning and enjoying dogs. New Zealand has a very high rate of dog ownership and people have kept and enjoyed dogs for years. While most dogs are well behaved, just about any dog can be dangerous given the wrong set of circumstances.

There is also a growing expectation that it is not acceptable to let dogs wander unattended or encourage them to act aggressively, especially when in public or around children. Increasing pressure on our public spaces means we all need to take more care when dogs and people mix.

This Bill will give councils more tools to deal with owners who need reminding of their responsibilities. Councils will now be able to classify dog owners as probationary or disqualified depending upon the situation, rather than have to go through a probationary step first.

This means that Councils can more effectively deal with the serious offenders the first time rather than waiting for them to offend again before taking action.

For many owners whose dogs end up in places they shouldn’t or cause problems, the answer is sometimes simply better education about their dog or their obligations. Councils will now be able to require such owners to attend an education programme or dog obedience course.

We are also requiring councils to review their dog control policies with greater emphasis on public safety. This means, in general, dogs will need to be kept on a leash when in popular public places, especially where children are playing.

Recognising the pivotal role of councils in dog control, the Bill, for the first time, will create a specific obligation for all councils to report on their dog control activities in a common way. While of course all communities face different circumstances, this measure will help enhance accountability and provide essential core information about dog control throughout the country.

The penalty for owning a dog that causes serious injury is increased from a maximum of $5,000 to a maximum of $20,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years. This will send a very strong signal that owners must take care to make sure their dogs cannot do serious harm.

Mr Speaker, one of the few contentious proposals put forward by Bill was that of universal microchipping. I would like to thank New Zealand First, and members of United Future for their support during the Committee stage to provide for progressive microchipping of all dogs.

I acknowledge that some groups have doubts about microchipping. However, once microchipping is in place, I believe we will very quickly see its practical benefits. I don't believe it will be an expensive exercise for dog owners.

I note again that this view is also supported by the RSPCA, New Zealand Veterinary Association and the New Zealand Kennel Club.

Mr Speaker, for 20 years our society has agonised about what to do with fighting breeds of dogs. This Bill finally does something about it. People who own American Pit Bulls, Japanese Tosas, Brazilian Filas and Dogo Argentinos will have to muzzle them while they are in public. Importation of any more of these breeds will be banned.

Judging from the letters and emails received by my office, this move has widespread public support and I note that the committee stages of the Bill demonstrated the idea has near universal political support in this house.

Finally, Mr Speaker, I would like to thank all those involved in developing the Bill, particularly my Parliamentary colleagues on the Local Government and Environment Committee.

I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Carolina Anderson and her family, particularly her father John Anderson. The Anderson family has shown real courage in campaigning for better dog control. In doing so, they have turned a tragedy into a positive benefit for New Zealand society.

Thank you for those efforts.

Mr Speaker, I commend this Bill to the House.

OTHER REGIONS +NORTHERN