Waiouru needs new dog ranger

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 545, 19 July 1994, Page 5

Waiouru needs new dog ranger

By

Michele

Monaghan

Lois Kohiti - Waiouru' s dog ranger for the past three years - is now giving up her position due to her husband being posted. Mrs Kohiti said the council is looking for a replacement dog ranger and she would like the new person to take over before she goes so they can learn the ropes with her help. She said there had been a bit of interest shown in the job, but no firm takers. Mrs Kohiti said being a dog ranger meant trying to keep dogs in the camp under control and to make things pleasant for the dog and the owner and also those people without dogs. She said being a dog ranger can be hard because you do become attached to some of the stray animals. If unclaimed and unable to be placed in new homes these animals are destroyed. "We have dogs down there (in the pound) for weeks and weeks. We usually just keep advertising but you have to draw the line somewhere." She also said she was finding her job frustrating because the same dogs are found roaming time and time again. Excuses "It's the owners, not the dogs," said Mrs Kohiti. "They' ve always got some excuse, it' s the kids or Serco, never them," she said. "The dogs must be confined to the property and not be a public nuisance by whining, barking, roaming or fouling." Mrs Kohiti said if people wanted dog droppings all over their lawn they'd go out and buy a dog of their own. She said she knew some owners were trying to confine their dogs, the dogs were just hell-bent on getting out. "I try to be fair and understanding, but some owners aren'tbeing fair back. Unfortunately it's the good dog owners who will probably get it." She said some dog owners were not even bothering to confine their dogs, saying they don't believe in tying animals up. When applying for permission for a dog in the housing area, a certain set of rules must be abided by , including confining the dog. She said if someone is not prepared to live by these rules, they should not get a dog. Mrs Kohiti said when dogs are picked up and impounded, some owners are going as far as to break the law and steal their dogs from the pound. She said worse still are the owners who can't be

bothered with a straying dog and ask for the dog to be shot. "I won'tdothat. We'renotadumpingground,nor is the RSPCA. Dogs are a lot of work. You' ve got to put the time in. If you're not prepared to put in the time don't get a dog." Mrs Kohiti said there are a lot of good things to being a dog ranger. "Finding an owner for homeless dogs is great. Y ou see the dog a couple of weeks later and they look different, they' re loved. They look clean and healthy ." She said the best part is when the dog remembers her and comes up wagging its tail. "I get to know an awful lot of dogs and the dogs remember and know me. You meet a lot of people too." "The dog (obedience) classes are a definite upside for dogs and their owners." said Mrs Kohiti. "Dog obedience has been a big hit, the classes are packed every time and the dogs love it." These classes are held in the summer.