Ady Breeds www.sunlive.co.nz

It was with fascination I was watching the news on television, while snuggled up under the duvet – the only reason I even had one eye open was because the boss kept kicking me to stop me snoring…females snore; I don't think so – when a news item came on about all the homeless dogs in Christchurch.

A shopping mall had donated a tidy sum to look after them which is very cool.

There has been a bit of an uprising about registration fees and the number of unregistered canines around. Nearly every dog I saw on that news segment had some sort of cross pollination with a staffie or a mastiff…now I know a few staffordshire terriers and their owners – and not all of them are the mongrels (dogs and owners) who are copping all the negative press. Big D's mates Bo and Duke come to mind; they are super cool.

Some councils around the country give assistance to some dog owners who cannot afford to have their dogs de-sexed, what a lot of bollocks! Well in the males case anyway. So councils can hire more bureaucrats to asset-test dog owners…get out of here – one law for all! This is something Helen Clark would have cooked up to employ more people and raise the registration fees even more.

Here in Tauranga, fees are up there with the most expensive in the country already. If you are a responsible dog owner, poor or wealthy, I'm sure you look after your pets already. So maybe the way to stop so many unwanted animals being around is to bring in a law that involves all dogs being neutered, unless animals are being purchased from registered breeders, (who micro chip and register their pups before selling them).

Or as in Dunedin, responsible dog owners get a lifetime registration. Or at least give good owners something in return for paying their fees, not just a 10 per cent discount.

What about John's three strike rule – you get tossed in 'doggie prison” three times and you are out of here.
I know it sounds harsh, but someone is going to have to make some hard decisions. For too long this country has been meandering along, with councils lacking in cojones big enough to make the cut. If central government can pass a law, then let's get on with it. I am getting sick and tired of bits of paper being handed from one two-legger to another, so they can justify their existence.

I want to live an uncomplicated life, with food, sleep and fun in the outdoors, with the boss and uncle, and be street legal at the same time.

Talking about animal antics, check out the videos of talking dogs on 'Sunlive, a competition being sponsored by the good folk at Animal Antics. They are cool, (the videos and the people at Animal Antics) so make sure if you need anything for your pet, get down and see them.

As a parting shot, if you cannot afford to have a street legal dog, don't have one. Simple really.
Cheers all, take care out there and remember the immortal words of Big D; 'do it to them before they do it to you”.