Dog owners fail in pet muzzle fight

A Hawera dog which was classed as menacing after it bit a man was exercised freely for eight months because an administrative error meant the owners weren’t told it had to be muzzled.

But despite no further problems with Craig and Lisa Langlands’ dog, Izaak, during that time, South Taranaki District Council’s environment and hearings committee has now ruled the animal must remain muzzled in public.

Izaak bit a passer-by who walked past his owners’ ute in a car park outside the TSB Bank in Hawera on September 30, a report presented at the committee’s meet- ing on Wednesday said. The windows of the ute canopy were open and when the victim walked past, Izaak lunged out and bit the man’s arm.

Lisa Langlands immediately jumped out of the vehicle to calm the dogs and offered assistance to the victim. He received puncture wounds and bruising on his upper arm.

Although the Langlands were sent a $200 fine, an administrative error meant a notice informing them of the menacing dog status was not sent as it usually would have been, South Taranaki District Council regulatory services manager Doug Scott said.

The dog, an eight-year-old German wirehaired pointer, was exercised as nor- mal without further complaints until the couple received a notice on May 24.

They lodged an objection to the decision because of the effect it would have on Izaak’s life and theirs, and the length of time it had taken to be imposed.

Under this classification the dog has to wear a muzzle in public, which meant Izaak would no longer be able to run around and chase a ball at the beach or go hunting, Lisa Langlands said in support of their appeal.

‘‘The last eight months Izaak has lived a normal life and as far as I am aware all our changes we have made show that we are responsible and take that seriously.’’

However, the committee decided to uphold the decision.