Can Poor People Own Dogs in New Zealand?

Story from " The First Pet History of the World".

In 1910, a crowd gathered at an intersection in Boulder, Colarado. They had spotted a dog running about with white froth coming from his mouth.
"He's mad", someone yelled out, and the police were called.
The dog stood with wide-open eyes, either too mad or too frightened to move. The crowd called for the police officer to shoot. Then a tall woman pushed through and went to pick up the dog. A dozen men yelled at her to stand back and two or three grabbed her.
The police officer was firm.
"Madam", he said , "The dog is mad. He must be shot. Look at the foam coming out of his mouth."
"Foam?" the woman said contemptuously. "That's not foam. That's the cream puff he has
just been eating!"

Approx 2 weeks ago a story appeared in the Whangerei Newspaper.

Following the success of the Papakura District Council annual dog amnesty,
Manukau City Council stated they would adopt this procedure.
This year will be the third year of amnesties in Manukau city.
The week long amnesty is advertised in the Manukau Courier.

The amnnesty offerred by these councils decrees that " any dog owner who cannot afford
to keep their dog/dogs can bring the dog to the pound, it will be killed at no cost to the owner, no associated fines, no questions asked ". ie no court appearances, no baycorp, the slaughter and sustenance fees are waived also.

Animal welfarists in these areas were naturally disturbed, they wrote to the newspapers, contacted councils etc to no avail.

(Photo will be posted shortly)
"My husband answered the door to find 3 animal control officers there, and 2 vans on the street. He was told that our two dogs had mauled a dog "around the corner", and that the dogs were to be handed over immediately (our 2 babes are desexed, registered, microchipped, loyal, gentle elderly family pets).

My husband was working on our rental property we had recently moved into - and he said he didnt think our 2 dogs could have left the section, and maybe there was a mistake.
The 3 officers demanded to see the dogs. My husband was left with no choice and showed them through to the rear section. The officers apologised and left.

"Recently I was cooking our meal around 7.30pm, and there was a knock at the door.
Our high latched gate is hard to get in through so I thought it was a friend.
There was an animal control officer at the door, she said a white dog had been seen

Our young dog Kaos looks sick in the photo - she was sick then. Shortly after adopting her, she started to scratch and scratch. After paying $900.00 to two vets to heal her (they didnt, so we went to a third vet), she is now recovered and free of the mange.

Mange made her skin greasy and smelly, but her fur was brittle and dry. Under her collar area when it started, the hair snapped off at the base so we took her collar off her. She never had her collar on at home for months, while healing - see photo. You have got full body washes with medicated shampoo every few days etc. Kaos was inside then and always has stuck to us like glue - so no outsiders knew she had no collar on.

The pound have come back for Simba again (South Auckland). Because the family refused to hand her over (knowing her slaughter would help the pound achieve it's weekly financial kill target) they were slapped with a $200 fine.

Happened last week in Manukau city.

The huge gates were open, and the house looked unoccupied. Finally the dog catchers had free reign.

The husband saw them on the front section and shot out - they were carrying a thick rope apparatus. An argument resulted, as the dog catchers wanted "...." handed over immediately for non registration. The husband argued that "...." was registered. The dog catchers insisted the dog be handed over for non registration.

An unsung hero who works tirelessly 7 days a week, in community work from home.
Voluntary work - no recognition whatsoever for helping the community in an area sorely
needing help. All who know this lady are in awe of her efforts (everyone except those in power in the council).

There is a large, strong gate on the property. The gate has large signs on the rear and
the front stating "Please shut the gate". The lady religously reminds every visitor -
Please shut the gate on your way out.

Recently an absent minded visitor left the gate open. Sure enough - the dog, who had never been up the drive (except in the car) thought he would take a quiet little walk
up the drive, have a nose and get back before mum noticed. Everyone who knows the dog

A young, friendly, small dog wandered onto a property in Manurewa just recently.
The children on the property started to play with the young dog.
The childrens mum and the next door neighbour became concerned as someone was obviously
missing a well cared for little pet.
They rang the SPCA lost and found help line, there was an automated message telling them to advertise on www.petsonthenet or ring the pound. As neither had a computer they
rang the pound. Within 5 mins the pound was there putting the little dog in the van.