An Oamaru couple's dog will remain classified as dangerous after it bit a woman, but they have been granted some relief by not having to pay a higher dog registration fee.
The dog's owners, Theresa and Robert Coldicutt, yesterday appeared before a Waitaki District Council hearings committee to appeal against their dog, a bull mastiff-alsatian cross called Bear, being classified as dangerous.
The committee upheld the classification but has waived the dangerous-dog fee which is 150% more than the normal fee of $59 - almost $150.
Bear was impounded after a written complaint by Oamaru woman Brenda Kelly that he bit her.
Mr Coldicutt was working at Mrs Kelly's house with the dog tied up in the back of his vehicle.
Mrs Kelly had previously patted the dog, after asking Mr Coldicutt if she could, but later when she tried a second time she was bitten on the arm.
Yesterday, Mrs Coldicutt described Bear as "a lovely dog".
She said he was not a danger and was tied up in the back of the vehicle when Mrs Kelly "invaded his space" as she tried to pat him.
She was not bitten, but "nipped".
Mr Coldicutt said they were "very sorry" Mrs Kelly had been nipped.
"Others have patted him in the car and he likes it," he said.
Bear was not menacing nor threatening.
He had never wandered, worried stock, bitten anyone else and "never been vicious", Mr Coldicutt said.
Regulatory manager Paul Arnold said the Dog Control Act was clear that the council had to issue a dangerous-dog classification when there was sworn statement, but the dog's owners could appeal.
Hearings committee member Cr Pam Spite pointed out that, in the eyes of the public, if someone was bitten they would believe it could happen again.
As a dangerous dog, Bear has to be microchipped and neutered, if fit to be so.
Both have been done.
Bear must also be restrained on his own property by fences to ensure people visiting have access to at least one door without having to pass the dog.
Mr Coldicott said there was a fenced area at the rear of the property for the dog.
The last requirement is owners have to pay higher registration fees, which was waived by the committee.
