Independent experts to hear dog objections

Four independent commissioners with dog control experience are being appointed to a new panel that will hear objections under the Dog Control Act 1996.

At its meeting last week, Far North District Council approved the establishment of an Objections Panel and appointed four commissioners – Sue Wells, Crystal Beavis, Shelley Chadwick, and Janet Gibb.

Each appointee is an accredited hearings commissioner who has completed relevant training for regulatory hearings and has previous experience in dog control matters.

Their skills and experience mean they are well qualified to conduct hearings, assess evidence, and issue fair, reasoned decisions under the Dog Control Act 1996.

The move to create an Objections Panel stems from a decision at the council’s June meeting to delegate the power to hear and determine objections under the Act through an independent, fair and evidence-based hearing system.

Objections previously went to regulatory committees or council. The new panel will be a more objective process with people who have expertise.

It is important that dog owners have this process in place to be able to object to notices issued against them and have the decisions reviewed as prescribed under the Dog Control Act 1996.

The panel is expected to hear from dog owners objecting to council decisions relating to dangerous or menacing dog classifications, owner disqualifications, and barking notices, as well as complainants, witnesses, and council staff involved in dog control.