Stronger Measures To Control Dogs On Govt. Farms?

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 63, 12 August 1965, Page 1

Stronger Measures To Control Dogs On Govt. Farms?

The Taupo County Council on Tuesday resolved to ask the National Hydatids Council to intercede with the Lands and Survey and Justice Departments with a view to obtaining more effective co-operation in hydatid eradication measures. When the council was dealing with the hydatid control officer's report, Cr U. R. MacDonald said there was not enough co-operation from Government development block managers or from the prison farms.

He told the council he f had peen a dog feeding from the carcase of a sheep within sight oi the jnanager's house on one development block. On the prison farms they were killing sheep under trees. "And that ip five years after the hydatids eradication scheme began," Cr MacDonald said. "We are being undermined by the Government departments and will have to take strong action. It is up to the Hydatids Council," he added. The hydatids control officer, Mr S. Wallace, said the hydatids committee had already referred the matter of the prison farms to the National Council. Cr MacDonald replied that the county council had more authority than the committee. Mr Wallace reported that there were approximately 230 unregistered dogs in the county and about 70

in Taupo borough. Five dogs had been impounded during July. ■ There were no end of dogs still unregistered at Korohe, near Turangi, said Cr J. A. Asher. "They have got to be got rid of. They destroy valnable sheep and I have been feeding them for years," he said. There had been furthei cases of worrying on the Tauhara block, Mr Wallace said. Dogs from Waipahihi had been caught in the act but not before they hac killed, or mauled beyonc hope, a dozen sheep.

The owners had been traced and recompense for losses was in the hands of the Lands and Survey Department. Dogs visited the same property again on July 23 and 30. They were chased off, but were too Shrewd to be caught. The block manager and Mr Wallace followed one "half way across the borough" before it gave them the slip. "Having twice had a taste of blood, these dogs will be back and we trust they won't escape a third time," Mr Wallace said. There had also been a petition from residents in the Koraki Crescent area of Mangakino. They complained of up to seven dogs roaming their streets,

frightening adults and children and killing household pets. A child had been bitten and persons were being threatened — especially the postman. Mr Wallace said he had spent some time in the area. He picked up three dogs and traced two others home, but he had been unable to trace the dog which had bitten the child. Owners had been warned to keep their dogs under control. He would watch the situation and do everything he could within the limitations of the Dogs' Registration Act to satisfy the requests of the residents, Mr Wallace said. The dog population of Taupo county was reported to be 1513 and of Taupo borough 320.