Pit bulls get a lot of bad press and people have been known to cross the street rather than walk past them.
They are a recognised menacing dog type, as defined by the Dog Control Act, and often feature in dog bite incidents. But pit bull owners argue they are a loving canine companion when properly managed and controlled.
Auckland Council Animal Management Officer Dylan Walton talks about the importance of having full control over your pit bull on the leash. He says it’s not a skill you need to work out yourself, it’s something you and your dog can learn together with the help of a professional dog trainer.
Dylan says a pit bull dog owner has a responsibility to represent the breed well, especially when out in public.
“Your dog should be submissive and attentive to you, with a slack lead. If the dog is pulling on the lead and dragging you along, you’re not the boss there, the dog is. The dog should walk beside you, not in front."
"You always need to be the boss of a pit bull because it’s a pack animal with an intense dog focus and a high prey drive. It needs to see you as its alpha.”
Pit bulls must be leashed and muzzled when out in public in Auckland. Like all other dogs, they can be let off the leash in designated off-leash areas only, but must still be under your control at all times.
From now until 30 June Auckland Council is offering an amnesty on unregistered dogs classed as menacing under the Dog Control Act. The offer, which applies to pit bull type dogs, is an amnesty on fines, free registration for the coming whole year, de-sexing, microchipping and a muzzle – all for just $25.
“This offer is only on the table until 30 June 2016 and I urge owners to hurry up and register for the amnesty while they can,” says Animal Management Manager Geoff Keber.
“From 1 July, we will be out in the community actively looking for and seizing unregistered menacing dogs. Aucklanders have the right to be free of dog-related nuisance and harm and it is our mission to make this city a safer place.”
