Waimarino dogs worst offenders

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 14, 1 September 1987, Page 1

Waimarino dogs worst offenders

The Waimarino is in the unenviable position of having the highest rate of dogs infected with Taenia Ovis or T. Ovis (sheep measles) in the country. This news was reported at a recent meeting of the Waimarino County Council. Farmers in the Waimarino who have sheep or cattle infected with sheep measles or hydatids will face harsh penalties in the future, according to acting dog control officer Joe Martin. Mr Martin described the situation as "bloody appalling." Mr Martin reported that 216 lambs

Works earlier this month had a 100% infection rate, with 65 of these being condemned. "This is the highest rate of condemnation ever experienced at Imlay," he said. A line of cattle with 18% true hydatids has recently been recorded as well as a number of infections of up to 90% false hydatids and numerous infections of 2040% Ovis . Mr Martin said the results of bloocf testing of dogs in the Waimarino in September last year showed nearly 30% of sheep farms tested had at least one dog infected with T. Ovis six weeks after all dogs were dosed. "This is the highest incident rate in New Zealand

and will not be tolerated," he said. "All dog owners can expect a general straightening up in respect to their killing, feeding and dog control practices." "If the attitude of these dog owners does not improve I believe the only answer is that all killing works must charge a substantial penalty for all stock which are found to be infected," said Mr Martin. A graph drawn up by Mr Martin showed that in 1971, the number of dogs infected with T. Ovis was 38; in 1975 after a concentrated effort that number had been reduced to almost nothing but in 1987 the number has risen to 64 dogs. "These last 12 years have

been an absolute waste of time," he said. Mr Martin said at this time he would not recommend the Counties participation in the proposed alternative treatment policy which enables dogs that meet the dog ranger's standards to be dosed once a year instead of on a sixweekly basis. "I would be very surprised if any property in the last three years hasn't had one Ovis infection," he said. Councillors felt that a levy should be placed on farmers who have lambs killed that are infected with Ovis. "As soon as farmers realise it's going to hit their pockets if they don't comply, the sooner we'll have some action," said chairman Con Heinold.