Baldock Larry: Dog Control Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Baldock Larry: Dog Control Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:613;Page:9869] 
LARRY BALDOCK (United Future) 
: 
 In this Part 1 I believe that clause 3 “Duty of territorial authorities to adopt policy on dogs” and clause 4 which inserts what will become new section 10A “Territorial authority must report on dog control policy and practices” will do more for achieving the aims of the bill than almost anything else we have in the legislation. The very crux of any law is how it is enforced and I think that all of us on the Local Government and Environment Committee acknowledged that. The Hon Ken Shirley said very early on in the discussion that in his opinion the major problem was that the current law was not being enforced enough and most of us would agree with that. It is probably a result of the fact that he has been living in Tauranga for a number of years that such common sense is beginning to rub off on him and why he is making such wise statements from time to time. 
Clearly it is councils doing their jobs and making sure they enforce the laws that have been passed by Parliament that will guarantee a safer environment for our families our children and everybody with regard to the possibility of attacks from dogs. The first stage is for councils to adopt a policy and this is an excellent process. I welcome the Minister’s amendment in his Supplementary Order Paper that foresees and makes clear the importance of enabling the public to use streets and public amenities without fear of attack or intimidation by dogs. That needs to be to the extent that is practical which is what is contained within his amendment. I welcome that because otherwise we may be asking councils to do the very impossible. They can do only the possible and do the very best they can. 
In clause 4 the things that the territorial authority will have to report on are vital. That provision has been referred to earlier as we had the Department of Internal Affairs report to the committee on what was currently going on around the country. As the Minister has said and others have referred to some of the reporting was appalling. Without good information and data we cannot make good laws and if there is a need in the future for further amendment it will need to be based upon very accurate statistics across the country about what really is taking place. We may find that the situation has improved so much that in time we can begin to give a bit more freedom back to dog owners. As more and more dog owners become responsible perhaps we will be able to ease up on the requirements in this legislation. 
 I welcome these two clauses. I believe the most important provision is that the territorial authority must give public notice of the report because the best people to keep local councils accountable for their role and responsibility are the people those councils serve. A Big Brother Government will not watch over all the councils to make sure that they do their jobs; instead local residents will be able to look at that report every year and see whether their council is doing a good job. If the report is shoddy with plenty of holes and things that are not reported on then that council will be held accountable by its community and I think that is an excellent way forward. These two clauses are essential and will perhaps provide the most safety and security for members of the public. 
The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 167 in the name of the Hon Chris Carter to Part 1 be agreed to. 
Amendments agreed to and Part 1 as amended agreed to.