16,666 dogs euthanised in Auckland
An animal welfare advocacy group says Auckland Council is making money out of killing dogs.
Paw Justice co-founder Craig Dunn said the number of animal shelter dogs euthanised each year was alarming.
The council ordered the death of 16,666 dogs over the last five years, figures obtained under an official information request revealed.
Of these, about two-thirds – or 10,715 dogs – were of menacing type or breed.
Dunn said the high number of deaths could be blamed on the hefty fines imposed on dog owners when their pets were impounded.
The council was allowed to destroy or dispose of a dog after seven days if they were not claimed or a fine was left unpaid.
‘‘When dogs get picked up and impounded there is a fee,’’ Dunn said.
‘‘Then there is a fee for registration if the dog isn’t [registered]
‘‘[Council] is heavyhanded on killing a family member.’’
pushing for pet owners to become more responsible but what are they doing to encourage that?
‘‘I want them to take a proactive approach and help communities and pet owners when it comes to different financial reasons.’’
NZ Veterinary Association’s Dr Helen Beattie said euthanasia of dogs, under the Animal Control Act, was not specific to a particular breed, type of classification.