22/09/2005

Dog charges are excessive

The Otorohanga District Council made a big song and dance about how generous it is for allowing dog owners an extra month to register their dogs without incurring a late penalty fee.
I despise paying dog registration on a per dog basis.
I register four dogs annually and am what they class an approved owner, for which I receive a discount.
One of my dogs is used for hunting and we often travel off the farm on hunting trips. I have no aversion to registering or even micro-chipping this dog.
The other three never leave my farm. My point is, administration costs must surely be covered in the $33 dollars it costs me to register dog number one (or the price would be higher). But it then costs me an extra $33 per dog just to have their name primed on the same piece of paper and to supply a printed plastic tag which can be purchased. for 36c each from Leader Products.
Nothing more than revenue gathering, I am sure you will agree.
A per farm fee of around $50 should cover all costs.
The services I receive from council are exactly the same as the services that council provides for owners who do not register their dogs - nothing.

Jeff Bryant
Otorohanga