Calls to ban pitbull-type dogs

  • 11/04/2016
pitbull dog
pitbull dog

A seven-year-old boy has been hospitalised with serious injuries after being mauled by his uncle’s dog in Takanini on Saturday afternoon.

Each year ACC deals with 10,000 dog bite claims.

To discuss the issue Les Dalton, the president of the New Zealand Institute of Animal Control Officers, joined Paul Henry.

"We've got to close the breed down," he says. "We've got to. There's enough evidence there, and I just don't think Kiwis are prepared to put up with it anymore."

Mr Dalton has been in the business for 40 years, and says a campaign should be launched to phase out pit bulls and other bull terrier crossbreeds.

"We would have to make compulsory neutering and spaying and have a campaign of detection. And those who want to hand their breeds over voluntarily, we go for it."