ALSATIAN DOGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1934, Page 5

ALSATIAN DOGS

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL. [FEB PBEBS ASSOOIATTOJT.] WELLINGTON, September 6. .. The Legislative Council were . in. committee on the Alsatian Dog Bill. Sir W. Perry said he had made certain inquiries which led him to believe the dogs were not as ferocious as. made out to be. The Dill went too fat. He suggested it might be laid down that no person should own an Alsatian dog unless he was a member of a kennel club, was certified by the secretary as being a fit person to own the dbg. At. present, the dog was being bi&ffied for the fault of the owner. Mr Buddo said there were innumerable instances in which the dogs had attacked human brings and stock. Mr Carrington said those who were in favour of the Bill were up against a stiff proposition, as th£ legislation was being opposed by wealthy owners and breeders. Mr Isitt said he was not prepared

to allow the Bill to go through in its present form. They ought to see what could be done by strict regulation before going to the extremes of -destroying the dogs. Mr Snodgrass said there were ample provisions in the Dog Registration. Act to safeguard the public,; so long as those provisions were efficiently- administered. \. Mr Hayward said the dog was definitely dangerous and served no purpose which could not be better sefved by collies. He was not disposed to vote for a measure which was going to interfere with the dog, but was in favour of keeping him under rigid control. _ ■ The short title of the Bill Whs passed by IS votes to 6, and on the suggestion of Sir J. Allen, the.clauses providing for the extermination of dogs after three years, and the imposition of a registration fee of £5 on females were dropped. The Bill as amended provides for the muzzling of all Alsatian dogs at large in public places and the prohi- | bition of importations without thO cbfisent. of the Minister. . - i ’ The Bill was put through tlife remaining stages and passed.