A dog owner is objecting to having it classified as dangerous
by the Waitaki District Council after it "nipped" an Oamaru
woman.
Bear, owned by Theresa Coldicutt, was tied up in Robert
Coldicott's vehicle while he was sweeping the chimney at
Brenda Kelly's house in Oamaru.
Mrs Kelly had previously patted the dog, after asking Mr
Coldicutt if she could, but later when she tried a second
time she was bitten on the arm.
Mrs Kelly called dog control, Bear was impounded and a
dangerous dog classification issued by the council to Mrs
Coldicutt.
Now, Mr and Mrs Coldicutt have appealed the classification,
which will be heard by the council's hearings committee on
February 18.
Mrs Kelly has made a statement about the incident for the
hearing, along with a photograph of the bite mark.
Mrs Coldicutt agreed Bear's behaviour was unacceptable, but
Mrs Kelly put her hand into "his personal space and
territory" while he was tied up in the back of the vehicle.
"He did not attack her, he only nipped her," she said.
Bear did not fit the category of a dangerous dog, but they
would have him microchipped and kept secure.
At home, he was chained up and not allowed to roam.
The classification comes under the 1996 Dog Control Act.
A dangerous dog classification required it to be:
Muzzled and on a leash at all times.
Neutered, unless unfit to do so.
Restrained on its own property by fences, with access for
visitors to at least one door without having to pass the dog.
Owners of dangerous dogs also had to pay high annual
registration fees.
david.bruce@odt.co.nz
