New Zealand Dog News

Lost dogs in 18th-century London

2013-05-11T14:33:00.000+12:00

You might think that cosseted house pets are a modern phenomenon. It takes a certain level of affluence and leisure time to devote as much attention to them as we do, but a fun poston the history blog Wonders & Marvels reveals that even in grimier times, people were still preoccupied with their canine companions.

The post excerpts some of the nearly 500 advertisements for lost dogs that appeared in Central London newspapers between 1700 and 1800. Here’s a short one from the Public Advertiser, 1768: MORE>>

You can read more dog notices here.

Weird names all the rage at dog trials

2013-05-11T14:31:00.003+12:00

Arriving at the championship sheep dog trials in Blenheim yesterday, I was met with calls of 'Dufus', 'Freak' and 'Thug'.

"Charming," I thought, and carried on about my business. It wasn't until one competitor shouted, "Oi, Whanga" that I drew the line. Clearly, I misheard the stocky, rugged farmer-type, at least twice my size, and was soon regretting my instinctive retort, "you're the only whanga around here mate".

As it turns out, competitors at the Tux South Island Championship dog trials have some bizarre names for their companions. How was I to know? My attempts to backtrack fell on deaf ears and quoting Shakespeare probably made matters worse.

"What's in a name?" I said. "That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."

I think he thought I was coming on to him. MORE>>

Judge to pay $500 to walker injured by dog

2013-05-09T20:51:00.003+12:00

Why did this go to court? Read on...

Judge Mary Beth Sharp yesterday (Wednesday) pleaded guilty in Auckland District Court to being in possession of a dog which startled a person causing injury, after Auckland Council withdrew a more serious charge of owning a dog that attacked a person, which she denied.

Margot Bryant was also going for a walk and the two were talking when George jumped up and injured Mrs Bryant's right forearm. "Day to day it wasn't easy," Mrs Byant said in court. "I'd hate it to happen to anyone else. I have two grandchildren, the love of my life. I'd hate it if anything happened to them," she said. The court was told the dog was on a leash and quickly restrained, and Sharp's lawyer, Michael Reed, QC, said it was accidental. "There was no intent. It wasn't even her dog." Sharp and her family had behaved "impeccably" towards the victim, offering financial assistance, even baking her a cake, Mr Reed said. MORE>>

So why did this go to court if it seems that it was all dealt with .

Dog trialling became a 60-year love affair

2013-05-09T20:25:00.000+12:00

It is well over 60 years since Stella Wadsworth first got involved with sheep dog trials, but she still has a deep love for the sport and great respect for the shepherds and their dogs.

Originally from Blenheim, Mrs Wadsworth married into the farming lifestyle when she wed Wairau Valley farmer Melvyn Wadsworth in 1949.

For a "townie", adapting to farm life proved to be fun, and being married to an avid dog triallist she soon became involved as well.

"You soon get pulled in to help out. There were various things that needed to be done, but cooking was one of the most important," said Mrs Wadsworth. "We would be sure to give the triallists a good meal at midday; beef stew, vegetables, salad and steamed pudding made in old coppers." MORE>>

Dog trials cancelled as drought bites

2013-04-07T07:57:00.004+12:00

Farmers and rural communities have been hit hard financially as drought has wreaked havoc.

And now there is more disappointment on the horizon with dog trials in many regions being cancelled.

The nationwide drought conditions are the worst in decades and farmers are shedding stock. But those left behind often are not in a state to be used in the trials.

Brian Burke has been trialling for decades and says it is disappointing. "This is our sport really...you've got to feel sorry for the farmers and the stock because that's their livelihood," he said. MORE>>

Heroic dog bites owner's attacker

2013-02-24T22:48:00.002+13:00

A dog came to the rescue of its owner, biting an armed man who was attacking her.

The 19-year-old woman was in a Christchurch park with her dog just before 2am today when she was attacked, Detective Greg Dalziel said. The woman fought back, and so did her dog.

The woman suffered cuts and bruises when she was jumped by the man who police said had a weapon on him in Jellie Park, Burnside. But she scratched her attacker and her dog bit the man in the shoulder or neck, Mr Dalziel said. "The injuries are likely to be causing the offender discomfort,'' he said.
. - APNZ

CCTV reveals dog burglar stole cafe's pastries

2013-02-17T22:16:00.003+13:00

An Arrowtown cafe was left in short supply of bread after a dog with a penchant for panini, French sticks, doughnuts and bagels made off with $60 worth of stock.

Bread was delivered to Arrowtown's Espresso Love cafe at the earlier time of 3am last Saturday and left in an outside area. Cafe owner Jacynda Wallace said she arrived at the cafe to find nearly all of the bread destined for the day's customers gone.

The theft was reported at 9am and Ms Wallace expected police to be looking for a two-legged culprit. Arrowtown's CCTV system was used to identify who had stolen the bread and after scouring the tape, Arrowtown community constable Senior Constable Beth Fookes discovered the offender was a black Labrador. MORE>>

Care call after dog swallows fish hook

2013-02-17T22:15:00.003+13:00

A dog owner is pleading for fishermen to take care after her young dog swallowed a fish hook on the beach and needed major surgery costing $2500.

Stephanie Hodges was walking 20-week-old Rottweiler Mila along Papamoa Beach last Friday morning when the dog swallowed a large hook. Mila started gagging and Ms Hodges noticed the trace from a long-line hanging from her mouth.

"We'd been warned about it at puppy class and they said never to pull it out," she said. She wrapped the rest of the cord around Mila's collar and got her to the vet as fast as possible. MORE>>

Pet bonds may ease rental woes

2013-02-09T12:25:00.000+13:00

Cantabrians are spending thousands of dollars on "pet bonds" to ensure their four-legged friends can move house with them.

A lack of pet-friendly rentals has seen animal protection groups swamped with abandoned pets.

The Tenants Protection Agency (TPA) knows of one man who paid a $2000 pet bond to secure a rental, and "picky landlords" are being blamed for the increase in the number of abandoned pets.

Pam Howard, manager at Bromley's Dog Watch Adoption Centre, said the centre received "heaps of calls weekly" from people looking to rehome their dogs.

"There's a shortage of decent rental properties and so much demand. Landlords can be picky nowadays."

She said the main reasons for people giving up their dogs were because they were leaving New Zealand, their relationships were breaking up or they could not find a rental that allowed pets.

"Another problem is people who are having earthquake repairs done on their homes are struggling to find a short-term lease for two or three months, and if they can find one, then they can't find one that will let them take their pets," she said.

MORE>>

Holmes For Rent is a company that offers pet-friendly accommodation in Christchurch.

Should dogs be allowed in pubs?

2013-01-10T20:00:00.003+13:00

Mel Hadcroft was ''very disappointed'' when he was told his four-legged companion could not join him for lunch at a country pub.

While allowing any animal on food premises is technically illegal, many Christchurch cafes and bars are biting back.

Hadcroft, of Bryndwr, was driving back from the Weka Gorge on Sunday when he saw a sign for a ''historic English pub'' near Leithfield.

His faithful companion Stan, a german shepherd, was in the car with him.

''On ordering a beer and a meal, I found the beer garden, so got the dog and his water and settled down for a nice lunch.''

He said the waitress told him no dogs were allowed because it was a health risk.

''When I went in to pay for my meal the owner, who had already told me she had two cats, was standing behind the bar holding one of them and going on about how there wasn't going to be any dogs in her pub.''

Old Leithfield Hotel publican Soni Goodley said it was the hotel's policy not to allow dogs.

''We're a restaurant and people eat in the garden. I have signs stating that dogs aren't allowed and I have cats. This is my house and it's my cats' house too,'' she said. MORE>>

So, what do you think??

Pound death row for dogs

2012-12-21T20:56:00.003+13:00

Almost 1800 dogs were seized or impounded in Hamilton last year and despite the best efforts of animal control officers to rehome the animals, more than 600 were put down.

Figures obtained by the Waikato Times show seizures have jumped by 30 per cent in the last two years, and owners are often to blame, officials say.

Most seizures are for roaming or unregistered dogs, and city animal control staff say they constantly deal with dog owners who don't know the rules.
(...)

"We'll hold a good dog for [adoption] as long as we possibly can," he said.

However, seized dogs are battling the odds. Only 8 per cent find new homes, while 37 per cent are euthanased - more than 1140 in the last two years.

In an effort to avoid an influx of abandoned animals being put down in the new year, animal safety campaigners are urging people to think before they give a pet as a Christmas present.

New Zealand Veterinary Association veterinary resources manager Wayne Ricketts warned of the associated costs involved with the cute ball of fluff that is presented on Christmas morning and people need to consider this before signing up to own a pet.

"Think about how it will be looked after, when will it be de-sexed, vaccinations, health checks, how much it will cost on a daily basis and whether it will still be loved when it grows out of the cute kitten or puppy stage," he said.

(...)

The city council is legally required to hold seized and impounded dogs for seven days to give owners the opportunity to collect them. which means that if you have a friend caring for your dog, make sure they pay the fine !! otherwise you might come home to NO dog!!

The dogs then become the property of the council and are all put through a behavioural assessment to decide whether they're suitable for rehoming by adoption.

All dog owner rules and responsibilities are explained on hamilton.co.nz, and dogs available for adoption are listed on hamilton.co.nz/adoptadog.

Call to kill dogs that mauled sheep

2012-12-21T20:39:00.000+13:00

Two "cute" spaniels that ripped the skin off a terrified sheep and ate it alive should be destroyed, says an Invercargill woman who witnessed the attack.

Angela Castle said she tried to shield her children from the "gross" spectacle as the two dogs attacked the lamb in a paddock off Kew Rd yesterday morning.

"I saw them ripping at it, I kept saying to the kids, ‘don't look'. It was gross, they were really pulling it to pieces, they ripped its skin off."

It reminded her that dogs, no matter how domesticated, were still primal animals, she said.

"I wouldn't have expected those cute-looking dogs to have done that." why not? dogs are dogs@

She believed the dogs should be destroyed so they could not do the same to other sheep. At least she made sense in so much that the farmer said no, they were someone's pet. So if the dog is cute, they don't get killed, but if it's an ugly dog, then slaughter house?!?

When the sheep's owner, Selwyn Helms, was alerted to the attack he rushed to the scene and caught the dogs, who did not resist.

(...)

Despite this (3 times dogs ate his sheep), he was not so sure the dogs responsible for yesterday's attack should be destroyed, saying they were someone's pet.

He said he wanted the owners to keep better control of their animals, before adding: "I don't really want to see them put down but if they do that when they are around sheep they have to be." Aren't farmers happy that sheep don't kill!

Police and city council animal control officers were quickly on the scene. The bloodied dogs were led to the animal control wagon, put in the back and taken to the city pound.

MORE>>

Helping man's best friend to be a lifesaver too

2012-12-15T21:33:00.002+13:00

Man's best friend has long been a solid companion for many people around the world. But one Kiwi charity is working hard to raise special pups that will act not only as a companion but, in some cases, a lifesaver for dozens of New Zealanders with disabilities.

Assistance Dogs NZ, based in Te Awamutu, will receive $10,000 as part of the Auckland Airport 12 Days of Christmas giveaway this year.

The money will go towards raising and training a pup that will one day be paired with a child or adult with a disability.

Dog trainer Julie Hancox, who founded the trust in 2008, has successfully trained several dogs which are now working with child clients. MORE>>

Third talented driving dog still homeless

2012-12-11T21:31:00.002+13:00

While adoption offers have been pouring in for last night's two canine stars ofCampbell Live, a third driving dog is still homeless.

Last night Porter, a 10-month-old beardie cross and Monty, a giant schnauzer cross, got behind the wheel of a Mini Countryman on TV3's Campbell Live.

Viewers had since shown "a lot of interest" in adopting the dogs, said Auckland SPCA CEO Christine Kalin.

But the people ringing in only seemed to want the rescue dogs with the most airtime.

"Probably the least interest has been in Ginny... I think because she has less profile driving the car," she said.

One-year-old beardie whippet cross Ginny also went through the same eight-week intensive training course but didn't front on the day.

The Auckland SPCA has not yet received any offers of adoption for the equally intelligent Ginny, said Kalin.

"We've had people offer to adopt Monty and Porter. We've had less interest in Ginny so she's the one we'd really love not to have in the shelter too long." MORE INFO>>

Dogs get a sniff of remedy

2012-12-06T22:51:00.000+13:00

Dog owners in Christchurch with pets stressed by the earthquakes are turning to an unusual remedy - aromatherapy.

Bottles of the anxiety treatment brewed up by trained aromatherapist Jo Thomas are being snapped up and Christchurch customers now make up about 20% of her business.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils from herbs, flowers and other plants and has been used for centuries to treat humans. For dogs, a few drops are placed on their chests or their bedding.

The medical profession is divided on how it works - or even if it works - but Mrs. Thomas, who operates from her home at Wallacetown, near Invercargill, said the proof for post-earthquake Christchurch was relieved dog owners and happier pooches. MORE>>

Decadent dog's life at Waglands

2012-12-03T08:23:00.001+13:00

Wellington canines can have their own holiday while owners are away. At hilltop Waglands Dogs' Holiday Retreat in Belmont, dogs are "guests", fed gourmet food and given special areas for afternoon naps, a sandpit to play in and grass to run around on.

Couple Ben Adams and Arlene Hawkyard, previously an engineer and financial services analyst respectively, bought the property three years ago for a lifestyle change after eight months travelling the world. They have turned it into the envy of dog accommodation establishments nationwide.

Waglands was recently awarded Best Small Business at the 2012 Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

"We were looking for lifestyle properties on TradeMe and this one just popped up. We loved the property and the area," said Hawkyard, who once swore she would never work with dogs after growing up surrounded by the animals with a father who bred siberian huskies and border collies, and who was also a New Zealand canine competitive obedience judge. MORE>>

Good on them for following their dreams... we don't all do this, so cheers!!

Dog owner sentenced for starving her pet

2012-11-30T21:57:00.000+13:00

A King Country beneficiary has become the first person to receive a custodial sentence for failing to provide for her dog.

The dog in question, Misty, was starved to nearly half of her normal weight.

Luana Adams was yesterday sentenced to three and half months home detention, disqualified from owning an animal for five years and ordered to pay vet and prosecution costs of $1993 via $10 weekly instalments.

Adams, 40, had earlier pleaded guilty to two charges brought by Te Kuiti SPCA of failing to provide food and water or adequate shelter for Misty, a white and tan crossbreed. MORE>>

Dog helped ex-boyfriend attack

2012-11-30T20:19:00.000+13:00

An Auckland man whose dog joined in when he attacked his ex-girlfriend's new partner has been sentenced to five months jail.

William Black has been in custody since June over the attack on Lindsay England. Judge Roy Wade said Black had gone to his former girlfriend's Stanmore Bay house and argued with the residents.

At some point Black and England fell to the ground and Black punched England several times. One of the two dogs Black had with him joined in the attack and only stopped when called off. England was taken to North Shore Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and blood loss.

Black later breached a protection order by texting his former girlfriend. He pleaded guilty to the breach of protection order, assault and owning a dog that attacked someone. He was sentenced to five months prison but as he has already been on remand longer than that, he will be released later today. An order to destroy the dog was made. MORE>>

Pooch solves dog-gone mystery

2012-11-19T19:05:00.003+13:00

An Eketahuna woman is singing the praises of her english cocker spaniel Izzy after it sniffed out another dog that had been trapped for four days on a sheer cliff face.

Karen Barber said a neighbouring couple had lost their Australian terrier Fergie on November 10, and failed to find him despite several searches in and around the neighbourhood.

Mrs Barber said she had joked with friends that she would take Izzy for a late afternoon stroll along the Cliff Walk, which runs atop the 20-metre cliff flanking the Makakahe River, and "sniff out the lost dog". "As soon as we got near the spot where the dog had fallen, Izzy started whining and Fergie barked."

Mrs Barber decided to leave the rescue of the dog in expert hands and called the volunteer brigade. MORE>>

Rotorua dog cruelty makes SPCA List of Shame

2012-11-04T22:56:00.003+13:00

A climbing carabiner threaded through the neck of a dog in Rotorua and an emaciated dog found on the side of the road that was shaking violently have been added this year's SPCA List of Shame, a shocking collection of animal cruelty in New Zealand.

Also on the list is a family cat deliberately cut up in Timaru, a tethered pet goat stabbed to death in Greymouth, and in Wellington, several boys kick and hit a small terrier cross dog with a cricket bat. MORE>>

Newsmaker is Rotorua District Council animal control officer and animal welfare inspector

2012-10-29T11:08:00.002+13:00

Read about Andy Hope...This week's Newsmaker is Rotorua District Council animal control officer and animal welfare inspector Andy Hope who was the prosecutor in a case in the Rotorua District Court this week of a woman who ill-treated a dog. MORE>>

Sheep killed in vicious dog attacks (graphic content)

2012-10-29T11:03:00.000+13:00

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS DOG ON THE RIGHT ?? -->>

More than 40 sheep have been killed in a series of vicious dog attacks at Canterbury Agricultural Park.

Canterbury A&P Association graze about 200 sheep at the Curletts Rd park during the year, but over the past six months their livestock have been repeatedly attacked.

Operations manager Dugald Thomas said 21 sheep were killed during two brutal attacks at the weekend.

"On Friday night we had three sheep killed and then overnight there were a further 12 ewes and six lambs slaughtered."

Thomas said it was "very distressing" for staff at the park, including himself, who found the mauled sheep.

"It's bloody awful. Half of the sheep are still alive and you have to put them down. They've obviously suffered a lot."

Thomas believed two dogs that probably lived near the park were responsible.

A nearby resident managed to take a photograph of the dog involved in Saturday's attack.

"He saw the attack and chased the dog away from the sheep and managed to get this pic as it ran away," Thomas said.

Thomas said they would "love to get some help" from the public in identifying the dog.

MORE>>

Young dog "cowardly" abandoned in storm

2012-10-29T11:00:00.001+13:00

Invercargill's SPCA is horrified at the case of a young dog, which was left tied outside one of its shelters overnight - just as a storm hit.

It was dumped at the Woodend shelter on Wednesday night and had nowhere to escape from the weather.

The dog has grazes on its legs from getting tangled in the chain it was tethered to.

Shelter manager Mary Bradley says the animal was terrified when they found her, and is only now starting to trust people again.

Mary Bradley says it was cowardly to abandon the dog in such bad weather - and illegal.

MORE>>

Greyhound bosses want own industry probe

2012-10-28T11:09:00.000+13:00

Greyhound racing bosses are backing calls for an inquiry into their industry.

But they are refusing moves for any inquiry to be carried out by independent observers, with Greyhound Racing New Zealand general manager Jim Leach saying his officials are the best equipped to review the at-times deadly industry.

Calls for an independent inquiry into greyhound racing, and its growing death toll, have been made by the Greyhound Protection League and the Green Party following investigations first by the Sunday Star-Times and now TV3's 60 Minutes. "Our view is that there is no need for an independent inquiry," Leach said.

"We believe we can get appropriate people to have the investigation for us." MORE>>

Dogs capture director's heart

2012-10-27T11:16:00.000+13:00

Film-maker Costa Botes describes film festivals as an oasis of good films that haven't a hope of getting a distribution deal.

The Last Dogs of Winter director said the New Zealand International Film Festival, in Masterton until October 31, brings people back to what film-making should be.

"It should be about the value of the film-making, about the emotional connection, about stuff that matters rather than stuff that sells."

Mr Botes' latest documentary tells the story of Brian Ladoon who, in a remote corner of Canada, has spent 40 years trying to save the indigenous Eskimo dog, the Qimmiq.

MORE>>