Animal welfare group says too many dogs are being euthanised

Thursday, 22 February 2018

More than 16,000 dogs have been euthanised at Auckland animal shelters in the last five years.

An animal welfare advocacy group says Auckland Council is making money out of killing dogs.

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

The council ordered the death of 16,666 dogs over the last five years, figures obtained under an official information request revealed.

Of these, about two-thirds – or 10,715 dogs – were a menacing type or breed.

**READ MORE:

Craig Dunn from Paw Justice says dog owners should be given more time to pay their fines to help reduce dog deaths.

* Close to 3000 dogs put down by Auckland Council last year

* Dead dogs: 1447 greyhounds known to be euthanised in four years, report reveals

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

* Higher ratio of impounded dogs killed in Hamilton over Auckland

* Owner shocked after 'teddy bear' dog put down**

Auckland Council says dog owners need to take more responsibility.

Dunn said the high number of deaths were due to the hefty fines imposed on dog owners when their pets were impounded.

The council was allowed to destroy or dispose of a dog after seven days if they were not claimed or a fine was left unpaid.

'When dogs get picked up and impounded there is a fee,' Dunn said.

'Then there is a fee for registration if the dog isn't [registered] yet, and a fee for daily sustenance when the dog is in the pound.'

Even after a dog was killed, owners were still required to pay up, he said.

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

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

Euthanasia was used for dogs that were menacing types or breed, aggressive or sick.

'We do not want to put dogs down,' Marchant-Ludlow said.

'Our preferred outcome is to return dogs to their owners wherever possible.'

The council's three animal shelters, in Manukau, Henderson and Silverdale, wait seven days for an owner to come forward to claim their dog before any decision was made.

'It also means we ensure the dog is going back into the community registered, de-sexed and compliant with the rules.'

Dog owners were liable for all fees incurred when a dog was impounded regardless of an outcome, as stated in the Dog Control Act, she said.

Marchant-Ludlow encouraged dog owners to take more responsibility because a decision to own a dog should not be taken lightly and was a long-term commitment.

'People need to be sure they can properly care for a dog, which includes being able to afford any associated costs.

'Dogs end up in our shelters because their owners have not followed the rules.'

The council chose not to rehome menacing dogs because it was in the best interest of the community.

'These dogs are still over-represented in serious incidents.'

However, Dunn questioned if the council was doing everything possible to ensure dogs were returned to the community.

'I am all for Auckland Council pushing for pet owners to become more responsible but what are they doing to encourage that?

'I want them to take a proactive approach and help communities and pet owners when it comes to different financial reasons.'

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

'Wherever possible, re-homing of suitable dogs is the preferred option in all instances, irrespective of the dog's breed,' Beattie said.

'Where appropriate, NZVA supports the re-homing of dogs.'

Dog impound fees (Source: Auckland Council)

Dog impoundment first offence $75

Dog impoundment second offence $140

Dog impoundment third and subsequent offence $217

Daily sustenance for impounded dog $19