Dog owner stunned at three-strikes policy

Brian Christian welcomes dog controls.

But the $200 fine for his pooch being impounded for the third time in 12 months is too much.

He is fed up with what he calls a lack of compassion and common sense from the Timaru District Council, though it has defended its stance.

"I understand dog control and I'm in favour of it, but the lack of humanity and the lack of understanding is bloody appalling."

Mr Christian said his headache began when his Welsh cardigan corgi broke part of a wooden gate and ran from his property after being frightened by a nail gun being used next door. The dog ran out the front gate, which Mr Christian had opened to take rubbish out to a trailer on the street.

It was the third time his dog had run off in 12 months after being spooked by a loud noise. Up until the first time the dog had not left the property on its own in six years, even when the gate was open, he said.

Mr Christian said he had no issue paying for pound fees. If his dog was in the pound then it was safe, he said.

It was the $200 fine that came with the dog's third stint in the pound that he challenged, arguing his dog had been locked up before it was spooked.

Mr Christian spoke to the council and asked for a hearing. He was told that would happen only if he ignored payment demands. After the final warning, he could take the matter to court – at his expense.

"I left that council building in disbelief. I said to them `are you kidding me?' There's just no humanity."

The council's building and environmental services manager Dave Armstrong said it came down to owners being responsible for their dogs. The system was no different to driver demerit points.

"We all have mistakes and that's why the council has the three strikes [policy]."

If a dog was wandering, regardless of the circumstances, it would be impounded. If it was the third time in 12 months, the owner would receive an additional penalty Mr Armstrong said.

- © Fairfax NZ News