Can Poor People Own Dogs in New Zealand?

Max's mum ( MM ) left home to go to a funeral. Someone who picked her up, left their dog inside and Max was tied to a covered rear porch on his blanket, with a bone and a bowl of water. Pretty sensible thing to do - when both owners know both dogs are good mates and would get up to all sorts if left alone. Leaving Max to roam loose around this fenced property is not an option when no one is at home, as Max is a lovable friendly boy and this is high dog theft territory.

No one could see Max, he was resting and quiet.

Shaka is a darling quiet little 12 year old girl. Her mum said last week "The next time they take Shaka we will have to let her go as I just can not afford the fees".

Shaka walked off her property mid last year, the pound picked her up. The fines were paid and she was retrieved. She walked off again last week, the pound picked her up, there is a $300 fine. The problem here is the large set of high iron gates. They are a magnet for the children in the street to play and swing on. The gates are adjusted to close properly but straight away the kids are back. If Shaka's family go out, the kids are back and dont know how to fix the gates, so a small gap is left sometimes at the bottom.

At a recent dog event this dog was paraded around with an 'adopt me' jacket on by animal control.

Event attendees were told that the dog was a lovely dog and that if he was not adopted on that day he would be euthanased in the morning. This did not go down too well with people who were told this, as people came to the event with their dog/dogs and it is often difficult to take on an extra one.

Some people said they couldn't even bear to look at the dog as they knew the animal control people wouldn't even bat an eyelid when he was killed along with his cell mates in the morning. This was a family animal lovers event and some people couldn't believe the officers callously saying this.

As submitted.

"To tell you the story of Pal, I have to tell you a little about my grandfather first. Due to age-related health issues my grandfather was given the choice of living in a rest home or moving in with a caregiver. Grandad had been quite independent until his 80th birthday, living alone with his dog named Pal. Moving into a resthome meant he would have to give up his dog who had been with him 5 years at the time. I offered to care for my grandad but it meant relocating from the home I had, to a home adapted to grandads needs and big enough for our family. We could have lived in a better area or a better house had we given the dog up but we chose an older plain house in a not so great area just to keep our family together, and Pal was included as family.

Happened recently in Papakura.

Paris is probably the only dog left in her area. If animal control thought a dog around here was hidden in the roof they would have the biggest demolition company around town - half the Papakura police, and they'd be ripping the roof off to get their prey. 90% of dogs are under target in Papakura.

Paris is registered - fatal mistake in Papakura with these power crazy, blood thirsty for the kill hoons racing around, slapping out the most outrageously high fraudulent fines and killing every thing with 4 legs they can hunt out. Great help to have in the community, when pets are the only things that bring joy in many many cases. How can anyone learn a thing when Palangi and consorts kill all pets in Papakura.

As submitted by others.

NZers - well people who care about mans best friend are sick to death of knowing that what happened to Juice, happens every day and has done for over 100 yrs in the NZ pounds. Councils private contracting their pounds out to power crazy, all money - no welfare, dog slaughter houses are all guilty of animal abuse.

"...My brother had a dog called Juice and it was his baby boy. Juice had a metal plate on his collar with his name and a contact no. Juice was picked up by the pound and they never contacted my brother at any time to say they had him. My brother phoned them and found him there so wanted to pick him up on the Saturday. They said no, we are closed so my brother said I will be there Monday.

This happened last week in Papakura.

A lovely soft gentle pup was hanging around the shops and followed some children back to their home. The family couldn't keep the pup for a couple of reasons, so a compassionate neighbour who knew what would happen if the pup was out on the street again took the pup and put him in her laundry. Her and her partner could see that the pup had been well looked after and loved by someone despite a pretty heavy flea infestation ( but hey some people just don't know about fleas until they are educated - but that's the same for everything in this life isn't it).

Filo is still with his owner but for the grace of god, following the second theft of him from his home.

About 3 weeks ago at the very southern end of Papakura Filos dad came home from work to find that Filo had disappeared. He was absolutely gutted - again. This time he and a friend drove around for several hours through several suburbs looking for his beautiful boy. He had to go to work the next day so rang the Papakura pound from work. And no they didn't know anything about Filo disappearing. So that night again he drove around for hours with his friend again.

Nice quote from Barry Gillingwater on animal welfare:

Is animal control like the SPCA?

The SPCA ... focus is totally for the good of the animal. We are in the "animal control" industry where we are tasked with ... compliance with the laws and enforcement. The welfare of animals comes second.

It does indeed come second. Last probably. And who cares if animals are registered or on their own property? Anonymous complaints? DSS gets animals however it can get them, and kills them. Unless you pay for Barry's BMW of course.

(photo to be posted shortly)

Thousands upon thousands in ongoing fines and years of harrassment for this low income family in Manukau city. Registering, desexing and microchipping this families loyal pets has been no protection in keeping them alive. When business comes first - animal welfare and owner respect goes out the window. A company hell bent on achieving financial targets through the number of dogs they can get and kill does not care about the abuse, lies, grief and financial hardship the owners go through - as they know there is no redress in NZ for their victims.