Owners responsible

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 251, 19 July 1988, Page 9

Owners responsible

Dog rangers can remove stray or not properly controlled dogs from private property if the owner of the properly complains. Supermarket proprietor Alan Murdie wrote to the Bulletin last week asking how he could deal with problem dogs at his supermarket. The answer is: call the dog ranger. District Manager John Murrihy said if the council or the ranger receives a complaint the ranger can impound a dog. He said because the front of the supermarket is private property dogs could be removed by the ranger at the request of the property owner. If a dog is not registered or is not under proper control and on public property the ranger can pick up a dog at any time, he said. If a dog makes a mess it is up to the owner to clean it up, said Mr Murrihy. He said there was a 1973 bylaw governing uncontrolled dogs. The bylaw states a controlled dog "shall be deemed to be sufficiently controlled if the dog is under constant surveillance of a responsible person, over the age of nine." District Councillor John Compton has pointed out that lambing season is approaching and wishes to remind dog owners that they have an obligation to keep their animals from attacking sheep or lambs. Mr Murrihy said any person can seize or destroy a dog they know to have attacked a person or stock. A constable can seize or destroy any dog they have reasonable

grounds to believe has attacked a person or stock. An attacking dog's owner commits an offence if the dog makes an attack and is liable for a fine of up to $500 plus any liability he may incur from the attack. Dog Rangers in this area are Joe Martin 54 270, Alan Whale 59 139, Craig Ryland 54 024.