UPDATE FROM NEW ZEALAND - OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE JEANETTE FITZSIMONS
20 March 2003
Media Release
Local Government and Environment Committee
Review of the Dog Control Act
In February 2003, following a spate of serious dog attacks around the country and the public concern that resulted, the Minister of Local Government announced the Government's intention to conduct an urgent review of the Dog Control Act 1996.
The Local Government Law Reform Bill (No. 2) is seen as a potentially useful vehicle for quickly advancing the review. The bill had not progressed through Parliament since being reported to the House by the Internal Affairs and Local Government Committee in 1999.
As it stands, the bill primarily deals with 'restricted dogs'. However, on 18 February 2003 Parliament referred the bill to the Local Government and Environment Committee, and gave the committee the power to propose any amendments relating to the care and control of dogs generally.
The committee now has the ability to look at any matter relating to the Dog Control Act. Among the matters it may consider are:
· additional national requirements for dog control
· restrictions on specific breeds of dogs
· additional obligations on dog owners
· control of dogs generally, including the power to make bylaws requiring muzzling
· clarification of enforcement powers, including powers of entry and whether these powers need to be extended
· increases in penalties.
In determining amendments that could be made to the Act, the Department of Internal Affairs will survey all city and district councils on their views on the Act. Information about the administration of dog control generally is also being sought. The consideration of this information by the Minister is expected to take place at the end of March, and decisions arising from it will be recommended without delay to the Local Government and Environment Committee. This will possibly take the form of a Supplementary Order Paper.
While acknowledging public concern about the incidence of dog attacks, and the urgency of the issue, the committee wishes to have available to it as much information as possible before it calls for public submissions on the bill. For this reason, it will seek submissions as soon as the officials have completed their work and/or a Supplementary Order Paper is available that the public can comment on. At that stage the committee will advertise in the newspapers and issue a media statement calling for submissions.
Contact for further details:
Jeanette Fitzsimons
Chairperson
Local Government and Environment Committee
on ( (04) (470 6661) or email: jeanette.fitzsimons@parliament.govt.nz
or (027) 4586068
or
Marie Alexander
Clerk of the Committee
Local Government and Environment Committee
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON
on ( (04) (471 9525) or email: marie.alexander@parliament.govt.nz