ALSATIAN DOG CONTROL

Evening Star, Issue 22326, 30 April 1936, Page 4

ALSATIAN DOG CONTROL

BILL PASSES UPPER HOUSE [From Oux Parliamentary Repoetkb.] WELLINGTON, April 29. The Alsatian Dog Bill, the purport of which is to exercise the strictest control over dogs, either wholly or partly of Alsatian breed, was passed by the Legislative Council thi* afternoon. Several attempts were made to modify the Bill in the committee stage, but only in one case was an amendment made. The Hon. F. E. Lark moved that before the powers of local authorities could he exercised, evidence must be given before a magistrate. In other words, Mr Lark insisted on a dog, before being destroyed, having the right of trial.

The Hon. R. M'Calluni sought to amend the Bill so as to ensure that all unregistered dogs found in any place should be destroyed. The Bill provided that the owner of land on which the dog was found should have the right to destroy the dog. The amendment was defeated.

Mr Lark moved to bring dogs six months old and younger under the provisions of the Bill, thus restricting breeding. This was defeated. The Hon. W. M‘lntyro was unsuccessful in an attempt to reduce the registration fee from £5 to 10s 6d, ami Mr Lark was also unsuccessful in endeavouring to make the fee £2. The clause giving local authorities power to prohibit Alsatian dogs in certain districts was retained by 16 votes to 14. It was pointed* out that the clause might result in hardship where a fee had been paid, after which the local body might decide to prohibit dogs. Further hardship might occur through persons travelling with dogs in motor cars through various boroughs.