Owners of problem dogs may face fees hike

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 639, 4 June 1996, Page 3

Owners of problem dogs may face fees hike

Owners of problem dogs, including dangerous, aggressive ones will pay more in registration fees if a proposal by Ruapehu District Council officers is accepted. The fees structure could see a rural dog fee set at $15, while the owner of a dangerous dog could pay $169.50. The proposed dog registration fees for 1996/97 go before the council this month. While officers recommend that the fee of $65 remain the same for urban dogs, substantial changes are suggested for other owners. During the current registration year the fees for rural dogs were $90 and $33 depending upon whether the dog was on six-weekly dosing or not. It is proposed that for the ensuing year the fee for all rural dogs be $15. The main reason for the change is that officers will no longer be involved in hydatid control activities which involved farm visits. The proposed $ 1 5 fee will go towards the cost of administration, dog control and education. Selected ownership Those who have been accredited Selected Owner status could see their fee reduced from $35 to $22. A higher fee of $ 1 1 3 is being introduced for dog owners who fail to comply with the requirements of the Dog Control Act 1996 which comes into force on 1 July this year. Dogs offending during the coming registration year will receive a "Problem Dog" classification with the owner paying a higher fee the following year. Dangetous dogs

A new fee is to be introduced for dogs which are classified as "dangerous" by dog control officers. Such a classification is made where a dog behaves aggressively or is involved in an attack on people or animals. The fee for this category of dog is set down as 150 per cent of the fee that would normally be paid had the dog not been classified as dangerous. Any dog being considered for a "Dangerous Dog" classification would initially have been placed in the "Problem Dog" category. Therefore, upon receiving a "Dangerous Dog" classification a dog would incur a registration fee of 150% of the fee set for a "Problem Dog" for the remainder of its life starting with the next registration year. "The introduction of fees for "Problem" and "Dangerous" dogs aims to serve as a strong incentive for owners to ensure that their dogs are controlled at all times," said council chief executive Cliff Houston.