Can Poor People Own Dogs in New Zealand?

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.

According to the NZ Herald:

Two purebred staffordshire bull terriers, similar to this one, used their scent to locate an injured woman who police said was close to death.

A good reminder. Dogs save humans as well.

Champs story is one of the countless stories received from Whangarei. It serves as a warning to all NZ dog owners as to where the the level of compassion for animals is at with Council bureaucracy.

Moke died early last month in Manukau City. He was 18 months old, registered and from a family devoted to his well-being.

Jinx may look staunch and flashy to some - but to those who know Jinx he is an obedient
loved and lovable pet. He is the safest with children on the property. In this neighbourhood he can alert his family immediately there is any danger out there.

Supposedly Animal Control will try to find suitable homes for dogs and puppies picked up. But what happens if you actually try get a dog from Animal Control Services?

(photo currently being looked for)

This occurred last week in Manurewa.Dog owners take heed.
Twopatch passed away last year in her old age. The owner phoned the Council office to tell them this. The Council said they would send out a 'death form'. This form was never recieved by the owners.

Many months after her death (early last week) a ranger turned up at the home where Twopatch had lived.The owners were at work, a visitor was staying at the home. The ranger demanded the visitor bring Twopatch out to her. The visitor explained Twopatch