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Mayor
Defends D.O.G.
at Family Dog Day Out
(20 July,
Western Park, Ponsonby)
It was
ironic, in a classic case of the head not knowing
what the tail was doing, the Mayor of the very same
city council that sent the
warning letter to D.O.G saying the family day
out was "an
event in contravention of council's bylaw",
joined the assembly of dogs and dog owners of
Auckland, speaking in support of them.
Mayor John Banks stared by saying he was there on
behalf of his own dearly departed dog,
"Muldoon" (muffled chuckles from the
crowd..) and then he spoke in defence of
responsible dog owners, saying he thought the
current laws were sufficient and he did not want to
see them toughened.
Personally, I was expecting to find the park
swarming with vigilante Dog Control officers,
protestors and placards. On seeing the mayor
"assemble", I was perversely hoping that
someone would come along and start issuing tickets
and be forced to have to issue one to their own
"boss" under his own bylaw, but not one
showed up...
Instead we found a large group of people and the
happiest dogs I have seen in a long time. They were
in doggie heaven! Meeting new friends, running in
sheer joy, chasing balls and sticks. It was good to
be able to see them in full outstretched flight as
they ran and bounded as only happy doggies can.
The day was a real success and John Banks emphasised
each person need to make their views known to their
community boards. Cathy Casey of D.O.G. referred us
to the D.O.G website www.dog.org.nz
for more information.
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Auckland City Dog
owners were "all ears" as Mayor John Banks
spoke in support of responsible dog ownership
Dog rights
stalwart, Brian from the SPCA
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