Is the Government going to ban dangerous breeds of dog?
There will be no ban on breeds already in New Zealand, although some of the most dangerous breeds will be required to be muzzled. It will become illegal to import American Pit Bull Terriers, the Dogo Argentino, the Japanese Tosa and the Brazilian Fila. This restriction will not apply to dogs that were previously registered in New Zealand. People importing dogs will be required to make a statutory declaration, supported by a registered overseas veterinarian, that the dog is not one of these restricted breeds. Additional breeds or cross-breeds will be able to be declared, by regulation, as restricted breeds if necessary. What else is the Government doing to improve safety from dogs? The Government, in conjunction with the local government sector, is developing a public education programme to provide information about the obligations of dog owners under the Dog Control Act, as well as good information about appropriate dog control, particularly around children. ACC statistics suggest a gr
