1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Now the SPCA is calling for serious reform to the 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:05,080 Speaker 1: Dog Control Act. This, of course follows the death of 3 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 1: a Northland woman earlier this week, mauled to death by 4 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: three dogs in a house. The thirty year old piece 5 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: of legislation, the Dog Control Act, currently carries a maximum 6 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: sentence of three years in prison or a fine of 7 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,120 Speaker 1: twenty thousand dollars for owners of dogs who call serious 8 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: injury to a person. Simon Watts is the local government 9 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 1: minister and just off a plane from where was it? 10 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 2: Simon Paris at the International Energy Agency saw the energy 11 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 2: ministers from around the world. Heather, good to talk to you. 12 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, thanks for making this time when you're probably jet lagged. Now, 13 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 1: what are you planning to do to the Dog Control Act? 14 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:41,240 Speaker 2: So I've sought submergent advice following what was a tragic 15 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,919 Speaker 2: incident in regards to the death, basically to look at 16 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:47,559 Speaker 2: how can we strengthen the Act that, as you know, 17 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 2: is pretty old. It does have quite a lot of powers. 18 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 2: You know, it's got some criminality powers. It has fines 19 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 2: and enforcement and actually having a review of it. Some 20 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 2: of those I don't think people would even be aware of, 21 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 2: like getting fined if you're not caring a leash in 22 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 2: public with your dog. But I think part of the 23 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 2: other challenge is actually enforcement of the legislation as well, 24 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 2: which is a local government and council's responsibility. I'm getting 25 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 2: advice next week either on all options, and I said, look, 26 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 2: we need stuff that's going to be able to be 27 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 2: immediately done because a challenge with legislation changes it takes 28 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 2: such a long time. But I'll get that advice next week. 29 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:25,040 Speaker 1: Okay, why are there roaming dogs in Northland? 30 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 2: Well, I mean I think my understanding is is, you know, 31 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 2: you've got a range of people that own dogs that 32 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 2: don't comply with their obligations and responsibilities is good dog 33 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,759 Speaker 2: owners and as a result of that, you know, dogs 34 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,399 Speaker 2: are dogs and they get out and on the loose 35 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 2: and do what they do. 36 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 1: Explain to me, is it a problem with legislation or 37 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 1: resourcing or the desire of counsels to do something. What 38 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 1: is the problem here, because surely what should be happening 39 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: is if you have roaming dogs to the extent that 40 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 1: people in Ihipata are having to carry sticks to fend 41 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 1: them off, surely the councils should just go round them up. 42 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:05,559 Speaker 1: Chuck them in the pound. Why is that not happening? 43 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:08,800 Speaker 2: Well, when you look at the Dog Control Act, there 44 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 2: absolutely are fences and powers for council to be able 45 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 2: to deal with that situation. 46 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,680 Speaker 1: They can. They can actually if they see a roaming dog, 47 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:20,959 Speaker 1: they don't need anything other than just to see the 48 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:22,680 Speaker 1: roaming dog. They can just pop it in the van 49 00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:23,799 Speaker 1: and pop it in the pound. Right. 50 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 2: Basically, if it's not wearing its tag, it's classified as 51 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 2: is unregistered. And if it's unregistered then the law applies 52 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:34,640 Speaker 2: and immediately they can. Yeah, I mean that's the challenges. 53 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,360 Speaker 2: Why are they're not wearing a collar? Well, that is 54 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:39,519 Speaker 2: you know, the reality is that I think there is 55 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:42,959 Speaker 2: probably two sides of this one the obligations on local 56 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 2: government to actually do what they do under the powers 57 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,519 Speaker 2: of the Act. And yes, from my point of view, 58 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 2: we could firm up that act and make it harsher, 59 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,239 Speaker 2: but it's going to require both sides. And I think 60 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:58,399 Speaker 2: that's probably the expectation that I'm making clear to councils. 61 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 2: And you know, we'll look at the Act as well. 62 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 1: Okay, so say they, So what happened in this instance 63 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:06,760 Speaker 1: apparently is dog Control were called to this particular property 64 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 1: because these three dogs had been harassing people and apparently also, 65 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 1: if I remember correctly, may have attacked another dog. Now, 66 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:15,679 Speaker 1: why in that instance would dog control not just take 67 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 1: the dogs away? 68 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 2: Yes, I haven't got the facts of this exact case, but. 69 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 1: There are for the purposes of the argument that story 70 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: that I've told you is correct. 71 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,800 Speaker 2: Well, dog control officers do have the power to, for example, 72 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 2: remove a dog who's barking and that's causing distress, you know. 73 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 2: So that's a you know, first glance would be an instance. 74 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 2: It seems of a lower offense than what's been referred 75 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 2: to here, and then it ramps up from there. You know, 76 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 2: dogs rushing at persons or animals or vehicles, that's an offense. 77 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 2: Attacking animals and people obviously as an offense causing distress 78 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 2: you know. So there's a pretty wide range of offenses 79 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 2: in the Act, right up to criminality and twenty grand fines. So, 80 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 2: you know, I think there is an obligation here one 81 00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 2: first and foremost to dog owners making sure that they, 82 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 2: you know, have responsibility for their dog. That's first and foremost. Secondly, 83 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,839 Speaker 2: making sure that local government are actually enforcing the Act. 84 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 2: That's currently available right here, right now, and you know 85 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 2: what I'm doing, it's going to take a little bit longer, 86 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 2: but is to firm up that act and look to 87 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:15,080 Speaker 2: make sure that it's got enough to you know, enough 88 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 2: power up to deal. 89 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: And coming from a conclusion that this is an attitude 90 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 1: and all problem, maybe by all of us, amongst all 91 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 1: of us, not just counsels. But I wonder, actually, simon, 92 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 1: if we just all need to change our attitudes towards 93 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 1: dogs and tolerate a lot less. And so it's at 94 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 1: the council level. If they see dogs roaming around, they 95 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 1: just need to get in there. They get calls to 96 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:36,480 Speaker 1: a house, they need to take the dogs away, and 97 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:38,720 Speaker 1: we need to also support them in that and stop 98 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 1: feeling sorry for dog owners who then winge about it. 99 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:42,239 Speaker 1: What do you think hither. 100 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 2: I'm with you. I think, you know, people just need 101 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,600 Speaker 2: to first and foremost take responsibility for their dogs. And 102 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:50,600 Speaker 2: you know pretty much have a zero tolerance of poor behavior. 103 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 2: And the challenge with dogs is one instance of poor 104 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 2: behavior could be the instance that you're referring to. And 105 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 2: you know, first and foremost, you know, we've got a 106 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 2: pretty we have got an act. Let's make sure that 107 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:06,359 Speaker 2: we're enforcing the powers under it. And let me test you. 108 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 1: Let me test you on this. If I said to you, 109 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:11,360 Speaker 1: if I said to you that I am totally up 110 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 1: for just taking the dogs out the back and putting 111 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:14,919 Speaker 1: them down, does that make you feel squeamish or not? 112 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 2: Well, I grew up on a farm heither, so I 113 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 2: probably don't want to quote too much, but I'm I 114 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 2: have a pretty you know. I think the reality is 115 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,039 Speaker 2: is that dogs that are causing serious injury already can 116 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 2: be destroyed under the Act. And again, that is a 117 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 2: power that's under the legislation of the moment. 118 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 1: Okay, Simon, thank you very much. I appreciate your time 119 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: and hope you catch up on the jet leg that is, Simon, 120 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 1: what's the local government minister? 121 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:35,359 Speaker 2: For? 122 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: More from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive. Listen live to news 123 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 1: talks they'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow the 124 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.