Dusty the Border Collie won a stay of execution yesterday
when the Central Otago District Council backed down from
classifying it as a dangerous dog.
Owner Jade Walker, of Ranfurly, had objected to the
classification and appeared before the council to plead her
case, saying she could not afford to meet her obligations if
the dog was declared dangerous.
The dog would then have to be kept in a securely fenced
property, be muzzled and on a leash when it was in any public
place, would be charged a higher registration fee and would
need to be microchipped.
Ms Walker said she and her partner could not afford that and
would have no alternative but to put the dog down.
The council's planning manager, Louise van der Voort, said a
Ranfurly woman had been walking her dog when four dogs ran
out of Ms Walker's property.
One bit the woman on the hand and one bit her dog. It was
felt the two aggressive dogs posed a threat to people and
other dogs.
One belonged to Ms Walker.
Council dog control officer Patricia Hilton said the dog was
often left to roam.
"Our concern is that there could be future incidents and
possibly something more serious," Ms van der Voort said.
Lawyer Tim Cadogan, appearing for Ms Walker, said although it
was a distressing event for the woman who made the complaint,
there was no independent evidence about the injury to the
dog.
The border collie was not dangerous and its owner had now
purchased a kennel and run to keep the animal secure.
Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson said although the dog
was insufficiently supervised, it would be unjust to label it
as dangerous.
Mr Cadogan said the dog's behaviour, if it "rushed" at
people, could be defined as aggressive, but the council
needed to have reasonable grounds to consider the dog a
threat.
"They know their dog's life is hanging in your hands today,"
he said.
Dr Macpherson said the decision, which went against Ms van
der Voort's recommendation, was not taken lightly.
Ms Walker said after the meeting she was "so happy" with the
outcome.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.