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WHAT A CLASSIC: Working to organise a classic British and European car show early next year, from left Richard Waugh and Laurie Hayward with a 1967 Jaguar S-Type and Marion and Mike Clements with their 1970s Triumph Stag outside the Howick Historical Village where the event will take place. Times photo Wayne Martin
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‘Karma had to die’
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fter failing to contact the
owners multiple times, Auckland Council’s Animal Management team euthanised the dog called Karma because she was a pit bull terrier-type breed, unhealthy and unpredictable. So it’s hard to maintain composure when I meet the council’s Animal Management manager, Tracey Moore to find out how difficult it is for the people who have to make such hard decisions and how these decisions are made. This is an emotional area, Ms Moore says. “The job is so difficult and public perception involves strong opinions and emotions. It’s polarised. There are people who say dangerous breeds shouldn’t be allowed and the other extreme of very caring people who want to
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save everything.” The role of the council, she says, is to follow the law. The Dog Control Act 1996 lists “menacing breeds” as the Brazilian Fila, Japanese Tosca, Dogo Argentino, Perro de Presa Canario and the “menacing type” American Pit Bull Terrier (including American Staffordshire Terriers). Auckland Council deems these dogs an exception and will not rehome them. It’s not surprising, Ms Moore says, that Karma, after being abandoned, mistreated and living on the streets for such a long time, would be fearful and defensive around people – “a horrible result of the circumstances”. There are so many mixed breeds such as the pit bull, she says, and some are clearly defined. But some fall in the middle, so decisions on these dogs are signed off
by animal control staff members. “It’s not ever easy. These decisions are not taken lightly. “I can’t think of another job that people will do when they look after a creature which is in the shelter for at least seven days. They look after the dog, feed it, exercise it and at the end know it is going to be euthanised. It’s hard on our people. “Karma was not very well so she was made comfortable and looked after. “I know many people disagree with the discrimination of breeds. A dog being a pitbull-type doesn’t make it a bad dog. But it’s a legal classification and the act directs that we measure by breed or by type.” Several of the animal management team are trained in a robust dog behaviour system based on industry best practice,
Ms Moore says. Dogs not claimed by owners and falling outside the “menacing type” classification go through a temperament test to decide whether they are eligible to be re-homed. Some dogs, Ms Moore says, because of their temperament, are not suitable for re-homing to the general population and not to families. However, sometimes they can go into professional work, such as in the Police or Corrections agencies, and they can be trained to work. A big effort is made to find homes, and in the past year, 98 per cent of dogs assessed were found permanent homes. “It’s the part our staff members love. There is nothing better for our people to see a dog come in, they look after it and see it going to a loving, forever home.” ■ This is Part I of a series.
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