Family want beloved husky back
A Russell couple are desperately seeking the release of their dog from the Okaihau pound after they say she was wrongly accused of harming wildlife.
Martin Allen says his 15-month-old dog husky cross Laska had been contained in their section with an electric collar system.
Two days before she was seized by Far North District Council animal management staff, Laska had gone missing but was found curled up asleep close to their sec- tion on March 1. Later that day she was seized by council animal management staff, Allen says.
He says he has seen video footage of Laska with an object in her mouth, but it is impossible to tell exactly what the object is. ’’You couldn’t see what was in her mouth, she picks stuff up and drops it later.’’
Laska is registered and microchipped. Allen says the effectiveness of the electric collar system had been wearing off but they had made further steps to contain her with a security gate.
A letter to Allen from council states that Laska had been seized because she posed a threat to wildlife.
An online petition to have the beloved family dog released from the pound has received huge support - on March 20, it had received close to 24,000 signatures.
A FNDC spokesperson says it is up to the dog owner to make an application to council for the return of their dog pending the completion of an investigation.
‘‘Animal management staff are still investigating the case involving the dog Laska and it would be inappropriate to say more about specifics of the case at this stage. The dog’s owners have been made aware of their right to apply in writing for the return of their dog. Council will consider such an application and advise the owners accordingly.’’
The spokesperson says the council will also keep the dog’s owners updated about the progress of the investigation and other actions it may be required to take.
Allen’s partner Lisa Wynyard says the situation has been very distressing. ‘‘We just miss her and want her to come back, it is hard to relax knowing she is in that little cage.’’
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