Guernsey dog tax rate is 'not high enough'

A Guernsey politician has raised concerns the island's dog tax is not high enough and does not even cover the cost of collecting it.

The comments came as the States agreed to change the law so dog owners will have to pay £10 a year, instead of £5.

Deputy Francis Quin said the system needed reviewing. He said he had been told by one parish official that it cost £12.50 to process the tax.

He added: "Why do I have to tax my dogs not my cat? It doesn't make sense."

The annual tax is collected by the parish douzaines every January.

Owners have to pay for each dog they own over the age of six months, with exceptions for dogs kept solely by a deaf or disabled person for their hearing or guidance.

Anyone not paying the tax faces a fine of up to £500.
(from BBC)

What is the point of having a tax that costs more to administer, than cover its costs!!

Wish they would come and visit where i live then as i know of two dogs not taxed...

I have always paid 2 x dog tax - I used to send the cheque for £10 together with a S.a.e..... now I know I am out of touch with the workings of a parish - but can someone explain to me how collecting my cheque, signing a piece of paper and putting it in a pre-paid envelope and then into the post can be costly? (I thought parish work was an unpaid job that people did because they really wanted to).
Also can somebody explain to me why we have this tax? People with dogs are treated almost in the same way as people who smoke! Even taxed dogs have no rights - there are more places that they are not allowed than allowed......so what does the revenue get spent on?? If the parish are desperate to get revenue tax cyclists (that was 2/6d per annum when I was young) at least they are allowed on the roads/cliffs/beaches all year round - dogs on the other hand are hardly welcome anywhere.....and while I'm on the subject of taxes are horses taxed to be on the roads etc etc ? if no why not??