Get Tough On Dogs Now Says NZ First

New Zealand First wants Parliament to immediately pass tougher laws for dog controls instead of giving the issue “the kiss of death” by sending the issue to a select committee.

Justice spokesperson Dail Jones says tougher measures could have been passed into law within weeks, rather than the years the Government will take to do anything.

New Zealand First measures for tougher dog controls include:

Microchip identification of owners in dogs;

Higher penalties for breach of the Dog Control Act including up to three years jail for failing to keep a dog under control;

Fines up to $15,000 and seven years imprisonment for owners of dogs that cause serious injury to people;

Tough penalties for owners who allow dangerous dogs to be at large unmuzzled;

Owners liable for the medical costs of treating injuries caused by their dogs.

Mr Jones says the Government has had four years to do something about dangerous dogs but has so far done nothing except make noises and blame others for its failure to act.

“The Government does not even have any legislation ready. The matter is unfortunately in the hands of an inexperienced minister who does not know what he is doing.”

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