The Subject of Doga.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 637, 23 July 1891, Page 2

The Subject of Doga.

COMPULSORY FASHION OF WEARING COLLARS. At the meeting of ths Borough Council On Tuesday evening, Captain Tucker wrote, strongly urging that the provisions of the Dog Registration Act should be properly carried out, which he contended was not now being done, and he hold that the Act required that registered dogs should wear the collars. He had In the Borough counted numerous dogs unregistered and believed that there were fully 50 per cent, of that kind, there thus being unfairness to hose who had to pay for registration, with a big loss of revenue, and those who had stock in the Borough ought to be protected. The Mayor said the Inspector might have some remarks to make on the subject. The Act required that the collar should bo worn by the dogs. Cr Hepburn said no doubt Cxp'ain Tucker was right about the number of dogs going about without collars; he himself had counted seven such dogs at the corner on Saturday. Or Hardlug said many persons registered their dogs, but did not affix the collars—he pleaded ignorance himself on that part of the Act. Or Dunlop thought the Act should be enforced in regard to the wearing of the collars. Captain Tucker complained that he had had many sheep killed and when he captured some dogs they had no collars, or an old one on, and he was thus deprived of redress, The Council ought, without being asked, take steps in the matter, and he would move that the Act be enforced in regard to the wearing of collars. The Inspector asked that the Clerk should read th’ returns. The Clerk gave the revenue—lBBB, £4B; 1889, £5O; 1891, £24 15s. Tbe Inspector said the difference was made up by owners of dogs being able to go to the County Council and get collars for 2s 6d, instead of ss. Cr Hepburn: That only refers to shepherds with three dogs. The Inspector eaid he himself had driven 250 0! Captain Tucker’s sheep off Childers road, back into the paddock, and did it not occur to him that the sheep might be worried by dogs about the streets ? Cr Lewis: It is a strange thing that only dogs without collars worry sheep. He did not believe that any Court would interpret the Act that the Inspector could shoot a dog though it had been properly registered—it would be monstrous. Cr Whinray : The Act says so. Cr McLernon seconded Cr Dunlop’s motion, saying that, in face of what the Inspector said, they should call for tenders for collecting, and work tha thing in connection with the County. The sheep industry was a very important one to the place, and sheepowners should receive protection against their sheep being worried. The Inspector, in reply to a ramark by the Mayor, said that if he was so instructed, he would shoot all dogs without collars even though registered, but ha had thought it a very hard thing to do when a dog was registered. Cr Hepburn said the proper course would bo to give the owner notice, and make him get another collar. Or Whinray said thera must be something wrong when there was such a difference between the returns for different years. Or Harding remarked that there would be plenty of litigation if the Inspector shot dogs that might have just got out without their collars, The Mayor said it did not necessarily mean that the dog was to be shot. Or Coleman said tbe Inspector would not be able to run about to discover ths owner of every dog without a collar. After further discussion the motion was carried unanimously, notice to be given through the Press. In reply to Cr Whinray Mr Faram said there was now about one-half the number of dogs in the town that there was—people who went over the rivers to reside took their doge wiih them, and registered in the County. The Mayor: Well, the Inspector must do the best he can to carry out the provisions of the Act. Mr Faram: Then do I understand I am to shoot all dogs without collars 7 The Mayor > I did not tell you so; there Is the Act to guide you—go by that, Or Harding ■ You must study law. (Laughter.) Mr Faram! It will be very hard on some people if I must Shoot dogs I find without collars, Tha Mayor; Not when they get used to it, (Laughter.) Or Whinray thought the collars would be kept on the dogs directly the public knew Of the requirement.