I frequently mutter to myself when I read stories out of the U.K. about councils snooping on recycling bins or dog poop, but in New Zealand, it’s barking dogs. The editors of Stuff explain that an Avonside resident found bugging equipment on her property after a neighbor complained about her dogs barking months earlier.
The Christchurch City Council has admitted placing bugging equipment without consent inside the Bennetts’ property, in an attempt to get a lead on their barking dogs, and has now apologised. The Bennetts – who hold “responsible dog owner” status with the council – have accepted the apology and are waiting to hear from their lawyer about whether to take legal action against the council for the breach of privacy.
So the council got busted, and apologized. But they intend to keep monitoring – with the homeowner’s consent, it seems. The council says they’ll ignore any sounds or speech picked up. *cough*
So….would you permit that bugging device on your property or tell them they are free to monitor noise from the street, but not from your private property?
Read the editorial from Stuff here.