Concern over delays in new dogs bill

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 4

Concern over delays in new dogs bill

PA Wellington The National Hydatids Council is concerned about delays in introducing in Parliament a new dog control bill.

The Council's secretary, Mr W. Ketel, said the Dog Control Act would give local authorities greater power to deal with problem dog owners, and would make the administration of hydatids and dog control much more effective. However, the Internal Affairs Department had told the council that the completed draft bill would not be proceeded with this year, he said.

The act would give greater control over dog owners who did not present their dogs for registration and for hydatids treatment. “There would be better general control of dogs and that would help control of hydatids. Fewer dogs would

slip through the net,” Mr Ketel said. -

A working party had been convened in 1978 by the Minister of Internal- Affairs to draft a new dog control act. The minister had said he hoped to introduce draft legislation the next year. The department had given the council no reason why the bill would not be introduced this year, Mr Ketel said.