Animal welfare group says many dogs are being euthanised

Animal welfare group says a Lot of Puppies are being euthanised

TORIKA TOKALAU

Last updated 13:49, February 22 2018

An animal welfare advocacy group states Auckland Council is making money from dogs.

Paw Justice co-founder Craig Dunn reported the number of animal shelter puppies euthanised each year was alarming.

The authorities ordered the death of 16,666 dogs over   the last five decades, figures acquired under a formal information request disclosed.

Of them, roughly two-thirds — or even 10,715 puppies — have been a menacing kind or breed.  

Dunn stated the large number of deaths were because of the hefty penalties imposed on dog owners when their pets were impounded.

Peter Meecham

Craig Dunn from Paw Justice says pet owners must be given more time to pay their penalties to help decrease dog deaths.

The council  had been permitted to destroy or eliminate a dog after seven days if they weren’t claimed or a  good was left unpaid.

“When dogs get   picked up and impounded there is a charge,” Dunn said.

“Then there is a charge for enrollment in the event the dog isn’t   [registered] however, and a fee for everyday sustenance when the dog is in the pound”

In the last five decades, 10,715 puppies of menacing types or breed were killed in Auckland.

After a dog was killed, owners were required to cover up, ” he said.

“[Council] is heavy-handed on killing a family member. Are we making profits off of our pets?”

Auckland Council manager animal management Nikki Marchant-Ludlow said the euthanisation of a dog was always a final choice.

Auckland Council says dog owners will need to have more responsibility.

Euthanasia was used for puppies that were breed or types, aggressive or ill.

“We don’t want to put down dogs,” Marchant-Ludlow stated.  

“Our favorite outcome would be to reunite dogs for their owners as possible”  

The council’s three animal shelters, in Manukau, Henderson and Silverdale, wait seven days for a owner to come forward to assert their dog prior to any decision  was made.  

“It also means we ensure the dog is moving back into the community enrolled, de-sexed and compliant with all the principles.”

Dog owners were responsible for all charges incurred when a dog was impounded regardless of a result, as stated in the Dog Control Act, she said.

Marchant-Ludlow encouraged dog owners to have more responsibility as a  choice to have a dog shouldn’t be taken lightly and was a long-term devotion.  

“People will need to be certain they’re able to properly care for a dog, that includes having the ability to afford any associated expenses.

“Dogs wind up in our shelters as their owners haven’t followed the rules”

The council  decided to not  rehome  menacing dogs because it had been in the best interest of the community.

“These puppies are still over-represented in acute incidents.”  

But, Dunn questioned if the council had been doing all possible to guarantee dogs were returned to the  neighborhood.

“I am all for Auckland Council pushing for pet owners to be responsible but what are they doing to encourage that?

“I want them to really take a proactive strategy and help communities and pet owners as soon as it has to do with different financial reasons.”

New Zealand Veterinary Association’s Dr Helen Beattie said euthanasia of dogs underneath the Animal Control Act, was not specific to a certain breed.

“Wherever possible, re-homing of suitable dogs is the preferred choice in all instances, irrespective of the puppy’s breed,” Beattie said.

“Where suitable, NZVA supports the re-homing of puppies”

Dog impound fees (Source: Auckland Council) 

Dog impoundment initial offence 75  

Dog impoundment second offence 140

Dog impoundment third and subsequent offence 217  

Daily sustenance for impounded dog $19   

 –  Stuff

source http://www.thedogcouch.com/animal-welfare-group-says-many-dogs-are-being-euthanised/