That was the question faced by a Queenstown Lakes District Council hearings panel yesterday as it considered whether Staffordshire-cross Bohdi, of Luggate, should have his ''menacing dog'' classification reversed.
Bohdi's owners, David Lundin and Sarah Lester, had objected to the classification imposed by the council under the Dog Control Act, following an incident on May 19.
The council received a complaint that Bohdi, a 3-year-old Staffordshire, bull terrier, huntaway mix, rushed and showed aggression towards three tradespeople working at a property on Hopkins St, Luggate, who were forced to retreat into their van.
When the council's animal control officer later approached the property where Bohdi lived, also on Hopkins St, the dog charged out ''barking, snarling and showing teeth'', QLDC principal enforcement officer Anthony Hall reported.
Bohdi then repeatedly lunged towards the animal control officer as he tried to contain him on a dog catch-pole.
It took the officer about 10 minutes to bring Bohdi under control.
Bohdi's owners did not challenge the infringement notice for failing to control and confine Bohdi and took ''full responsibility'' for his escape.
But they were ''taken aback'' by Bohdi's reported behaviour, saying he had never shown such aggression before.
While Bohdi could sometimes be considered territorial around strangers on his own property, he was at all other times a ''people dog'' with a ''gentle playful nature'', including around other dogs and small children.
Mr Lundin took Bohdi everywhere with him, including on mountain bike rides and ski touring, and had obtained a Doc consent to train him as an avalanche dog when he was younger, although he had not pursued this.
The couple considered themselves responsible dog owners, as they had neutered, microchipped and registered and spent many hours socialising and training him.
Bohdi had always been well-contained on their property and it was the first time he had escaped after finding a ''weak spot'' in the 1.8m fence.
Since the incident they had reinstalled a long run so Bohdi could be chained up when home alone, reinforced the fence and engaged dog behaviourist Gary Wulff.
References supporting the couple's objection were provided by Mr Wulff and the Ripponvale Pet Retreat.
Asked by hearing panel member Cr Craig Ferguson if Bohdi's behaviour concerned them, Mr Lundin said it was ''completely unacceptable''.
The menacing dog classification has required Bohdi to be muzzled when in public, which Mr Lundin said had been a ''horrible experience for all of us''.
Bohdi was ''a depressed, unhappy dog'' when muzzled.
Council enforcement officer Mr Hall said none of the evidence supplied in support of the couple's objection was reason to reverse the classification and Bohdi could still be considered a threat.
''A dog must never act aggressive anywhere. Although it's still accepted by some people in society that it's OK to have a guard dog.''
If the hearing panel upheld the classification, it would remain for the rest of Bohdi's life and there would be no further opportunity to appeal, Mr Hall said.
A decision is expected by early next week.
