A TOWN MENACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16734, 16 May 1922, Page 6

A TOWN MENACE.

TO THE KDTTOR. Sir, —The following paragraph appears in our local Napier evening newspaper. Stray dogs are stated to be in fairly large numbers in Christchurch. Citizens have complained of the nuisance to the council.” A party in Napier has been en» deavouring for the last nine years to secure legislation which would give power to local authorities to deliver towns from the filth and danger menace of loose dogs —the only power that exists at present is to make owners put a ten shilling collar round a. dog’s neck, which, of course, does not improve its habits. It may interest your readers, however, to know that the following letter was received on 24th ult. by a local resident. “ Dear Sir, —-I have the honour by the direction of the Hon. the Minister to acknowledge your letters of the 7th and 18th instant on the matter of the stray dogs being given to local bodies, to inform you that representations have bean made to the Internal Affairs Department pointing out the necessity for extended powers of control over stray dogs, being given to local bodies. I am advised by the Under-secretary of the Internal Affairs Department, that it is proposed to deal with the stray dog nuisance when an amendment. to the Dogs’ Registration Act, is brought down. (Signed) T. H. A. VADENTINE. Director-General of Health. Tt might assist ti>e campaign if those towns in the Dominion that wish to be cleared, would keep tho office of the. Minister of Public Health well plastered with lurid chronicles of the dangerous and filthy doings of loose- dogs in towns, until such times as adequate power to deal with tho menace are actually on the statute book. I am. etc., H.D. Napier, May 13.