Dog owners appal

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 586, 16 May 1995, Page 2

Dog owners appal

ranger FROMPAGE1 are not prepared to register them then they shouldn't have them," stressed Gail. "If you do lose your dog, ring the ranger, it doesn't always mean you're going to get booked. If the dog is picked up roaming I can find out why and possibly help out ~ accidents do happen." She said the situation was not fair on the good owners and not fair on the dogs. "Waiouru people are lucky, they have fenced properties and fabulous places to exercise their dogs. There shouldn't be any reason why dogs are unregistered and roaming." Gail has many stories to emphasise the point. For example she was recently called to a dog fight where one of the dogs would have been put down if it had not been registered. At present a young black Labrador is in Gail' s care after being hit by a car. It is unregistered and the owner has not come forward. 'The dog has no collar and no tag. What do I do? It probably needs a vet to have a good look at it. Who' s going to pay the bill? If it was registered I could find the owner." "It's a very friendly, loving dog with a beautiful shiny coat ~ it's so disheartening." In another case a foxie was picked up after 1 1 days ~ past the usual eight-day impounding limit ~ a young girl rang to claim it, saying the dog would be picked up the next day at 3pm. "They never turned up." The dog was placed unsuccessfully in two different homes but has since been destroyed." "I know it's part of the job but this is just ridiculous, just for straying." Gail's car has a sticker on it which underlines her grievances: "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas". She says people should think seriously about the responsibilities of being a dog owner. "If you care about your dog, register it. If your dog goes missing ring me, Hillcrest Pet Motels, 06-388-1661," she concludes.