OVERVIEW

All animals, including dogs should have the right to a standard of living and this should always be strived for, even in circumstances where these domestic animals have shown signs of aggression or may be a risk to the community. In order to provide a proper standard of care and living, animal control, behaviour specialists and the owners of these dogs should work together to provide adequate training and temperament testing to improve the overall state and well-being of the dog and it's interactions with people. Only then could we truly determine whether a dog is in fact aggressive and a risk to the public.  

We provide restorative justice and rehabilitation assistance to those of our own species, even to those whom have committed serious crimes, through the support of our community. Surely it is not just to punish dogs and their owners for incidents which are bound to occur for as long we're in existence together? Instead we should work together to improve dogs obedience and the stigma around them, ultimately benefiting both the dog itself, their owner and the community. The way in which we treat animals and each other is evolving the future for better or worse. Would it not then be better to treat all walks of life equally and provide the best options of resolution where practically possible, including with species that we have chosen to domesticate with?      

Let's encourage obedience and temperament training as the first port of call. Only classify, muzzle and restrain for life (or euthanise) when all else fails and it is absolutely necessary!

I will be attending a public hearing in the Hamilton City Council Chambers on May 2nd 2019 at 1pm in an appeal against a menacing dog classification. Sign this petition now to help "Luna" (white puppy pictured above) get a second chance before her first birthday, and set a new precedent to help all our furry canine friends today! * Read “why have I started this petition” to hear Luna’s story. 

                                                       DISCUSSION

All canines are territorial by nature - they will bark at people walking past, or those who come onto your property. They have a natural instinct to protect their home soil, including those who belong to its pack - even you & me. 

Canines should not be classified as menacing or dangerous as a result of acting on their natural instincts unless it is very evident that an aggressive attack has occurred e.g. causes severe injuries.  All dog owners however, being aware of this territorial trait, must put in place measures which will prevent potential incidents like fully securing the property for example.    

Dogs that display a tendency to be aggressive or territorial and that become involved in an incident which concerns animal control should first be assisted by professionals in animal behaviour to become better domesticated and obedient. Only then would we be acting in the best interests of the animal's welfare with the aim of providing to the greatest extent possible, a life and habitat whereby the animal can live and behave as natural as possible. If after these attempts to train the dog there are no improvements and there is reasonable cause for concern the animal is still at risk to the publics’ safety, then cautions such as muzzling, restraining and in worse cases, euthanising, should be put in place (in accordance with the Dog Control Act). 

The current restraints which District Councils will put on dogs classified as menacing or dangerous under the Dog Control Act 1996 are as follows; - Dog owner must not allow the dog to be at large or in any public place or in any private way, except when confined completely within a vehicle or cage, without being muzzled in such a manner as to prevent the dog from biting but to allow it to breathe and drink without obstruction. 

So essentially it reads that all that matters is a dog can breath and drink although, under the new regulations they now must also be able to vomit? What about a dogs natural tendency to clean themselves? That is not possible whilst they're constricted by a muzzle.  This all sounds rather contradicting to the Animal Welfare Act which is supposed to be for the purpose of ensuring animals receive a decent standard of living and care, including to ensure minimal distress, as this can be caused by the fixing of muzzles, or being kept restraint as required whenever the dog is “at large” i.e. not secured by a leash.      

                                       * Why have I started this petition?

I have started this petition because earlier this year my 8 month old (Golden Retriever) puppy, “Luna,” has been classified as a menacing dog for life after an incident occurred directly outside our house and a complaint was made that Luna had bitten a person. I was present at the time and actually both of my dogs ran to a person passing by, I did not see either of them bite, nor did this person express or show signs of being bitten at the time, she in fact expressed “it’s okay, it’s fine” when I apologised for them running out. It was a shock when animal control turned up well over an hour later exclaiming Luna had bitten someone. Luna has never done anything like that before, she has been out countless amount of times, around many people of all ages – everyone loves both dogs and no-one has ever said a bad thing, because of this I can only believe she is not really a menace.

Let's encourage obedience and temperament training as the first port of call. Only classify, muzzle, restrain for life (or euthanise) when all else fails and it is absolutely necessary!

Sign this petition now to help Luna get a second chance before her first birthday, and help set a new precedent for all our furry canine friends today!