John Carter
National Party Local Government Spokesman

18 April 2006

Dog law will fail without council support

National Party Local Government spokesman John Carter says Labour’s micro-chipping law will fail without the support of the councils that are expected to enforce it.

“Local bodies are seething at the additional burden they face as a result of this legislation, which has been the subject of much angst, particularly in rural communities.”

The Masterton District Council is proposing to put micro-chipping checks at the bottom of its priority list for dog staff.

Mr Carter says he predicts other councils will follow suit.

“Councils are sick and tired of being lumped with the cost and responsibility of more and more Government-imposed regulation and bureaucracy. This is a clear message that they’ve had enough.

“The Government should take notice of this message and be very concerned.”

ENDS

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