As long as Councils cow-tow to the notion that Dogs are 'a problem' rather than an asset with a highly significant economic and social dividend naysayers will bitch and moan.
It is time that Council(s) up and down this country did their job properly and listened to the Body of expertise.... easily musterable.
Consider, 500,000 registered dogs, at about a 100 dollars a year isnt just a pool of money, it is a collective canine income backed by about half a billion dollars or more in purchasing power that warrants some 'investing' in knowledge and infrastructure. Perhaps it is time for the Ministry of Internal Affairs (the ultimate arbiter of dog policy in New Zealand) to step up and own the problem rather than this fractious, protracted and often ill-advised by 'animal control officers' approach.
How about some advice, based on research and study from a rich body of 'other jurisdictions' where success informs policy.
We have to fix this because cities that are great for dogs are utterly excellent for people.
--
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com
http://efsdp.org
It is time that Council(s) up and down this country did their job properly and listened to the Body of expertise.... easily musterable.
Consider, 500,000 registered dogs, at about a 100 dollars a year isnt just a pool of money, it is a collective canine income backed by about half a billion dollars or more in purchasing power that warrants some 'investing' in knowledge and infrastructure. Perhaps it is time for the Ministry of Internal Affairs (the ultimate arbiter of dog policy in New Zealand) to step up and own the problem rather than this fractious, protracted and often ill-advised by 'animal control officers' approach.
How about some advice, based on research and study from a rich body of 'other jurisdictions' where success informs policy.
We have to fix this because cities that are great for dogs are utterly excellent for people.
--
Blair Anderson
Social Ecologist 'at large'
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com
http://efsdp.org
Christchurch, New Zealand
ph nz (643) 389 4065 nz cell 027 265 7219
ph nz (643) 389 4065 nz cell 027 265 7219
This post first appeared on Canvassing For Opinion - Aka "Blairs Brain On Cann, please read the originial post: here
