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Services

Animal Services

Dogs

Under the provisions of Section 10 of the Dog Control Act 1996, the Hurunui District Council has adopted a Dog Control Policy for public places.

The Dog Control Act 1996 requires the Council to be responsible for:

All matters relating to Dog Control i.e. impounding, barking/dangerous dogs
All complaints relating to the ill treatment of dogs
Registration of dogs
Education of dog owners relating to control of dogs

The Dog Control Amendment Act 2003

Requires owners - to ensure, either the dog is under direct control of a person, or confined within the land or premises in such a manner that it cannot freely leave the land or premises and must use or carry a leash at all times while he or she is with the dog in a public place.

Menacing Dogs - A new category of Menacing Dogs has been created. If it is considered that a dog poses a threat to any person, stock, poultry, domestic animal or protected wildlife because of any observed or reported behaviour of the dog, or any characteristics typically associated with the dog’s breed or type, the council may declare the dog to be menacing. Menacing dogs must be muzzled when in public and may be required by the council to be neutered.

The Amendment Act makes it unlawful to import any of the following breeds/types of dog – American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Brazilian Fila, Japanese Tosa. Any dogs of the above breed/type currently in the district must be declared a menacing dog.

Dangerous Dogs

The Council has authority to classify dogs as dangerous dogs for aggressive behaviour. The owner may object to the classification, in writing.

A Dangerous Dog must be kept in a securely fenced portion of the owners' property, must not be allowed at large or in any public place, or in any private way except where confined completely within a vehicle or cage without being muzzled; must be controlled on a leash; must present a certificate stating the dog has been neutered or the dog was not in a fit condition to be neutered; and must not be disposed of to any other person without written consent of Council.

Microchipping

The microchip legislation which came into effect on the 1st of July 2006 relates to puppies or dogs registered for the first time, menacing or dangerous dogs and impounded dogs.

First Registration of Working Dogs – Working dogs defined specifically as dogs kept solely or principally for the purposes of herding or driving stock.

Section 36A of the Dog Control Act has been amended to allow dogss who are registered for the first time as a working dog, kept solely or principally for the purposes of herding or driving stock, to be exempt from the microchip provisions of the Dog Control Act 1996 and its amendments. The Council is processing this requirement through the signing of a declaration. See list of forms at the right.

All other dogs – Frst registrations, menacing, dangerous, impounded.
All other dogs registered for the first time on or after 1 July 2006 and all dogs classified as dangerous or menacing since 1 December 2003 will be required to be microchipped. Dogs released from pounds after 1 July 2006 will also be required to be microchipped if they are unregistered or impounded for the second time by the Council.

Dog Control Staff

Dog Registration/Administration - Support Officer Cheviot Service Centre Officer.

Dog and Stock Control Contractor - Garry Woods:
All areas of the Hurunui District, contact Garry Woods, (03) 314 8647 or (021) 873040, crestwood@clear.net.nz.

During office hours, 8.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m., contact Council on (03) 314 8816 to action a complaint.

Dog Registration

Application forms available from all offices of the Council.
Registration fees are due at 1st of July.
50% penalty fee will be added to unpaid registration fees on a date set by Council.
Puppies are required to be registered before attaining the age of 3 months. Fees are calculated on a sliding scale.
Dogs must be registered with the local authority in whose area they are normally kept. If your dog dies during the year you are entitled to apply for a part refund on receipt of written application, tag to be enclosed.
Council mails out a registration form to known owners in early June as a matter of convenience, but failure to send a form is no defence against payment of the appropriate fees - the obligation is on the owner to make application to Council.

Registration Tag

On receipt of the appropriate registration fee Council issues a registration tag.
If staff are satisfied that a current tag has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, it shall on receipt of the appropriate fee and forms issue a replacement tag.

Disclosure of Registration information

The identity of owner and dog can only be given out under certain circumstances.
Section 35 of the Act sets out the conditions in which this information can be disclosed.

Remission Policy for Owners of More than 5 dogs.

The policy set by Council sought to ensure that Council collected its dog registration fees in a way that is fair and equitable, taking into account the service that is provided to all dog owners.

Requirements of the Policy

All dog owners will be required to pay one dog registration fee for each dog they own and register in the Hurunui District.
Owners of six or more dogs may be granted a remission so that those dog owners will pay no more than the total cost of registering five dogs.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a remission under this Policy, dog owners must

Be the registered owner of more than five dogs;
Pay their registration fee before 1 August of the financial year to which the registration relates;
Not have been issued with an infringement notice issued under the Dog Control Act 1996 or Council’s Dog Control Policy or Bylaw within the preceding financial year; and
Are not classed as a probationary or disqualified dog owner.

Note : Council may choose to revoke the remission to any person whether or nor they comply or partly comply with the requirements of this Policy.

Registration Form

The registration form has been designed to accommodate this fee structure.

All dogs in the system will have their appropriate registration fee printed in the 'FEE' column, the 'TOTAL' line will be the addition of those fees.
'FEES PAYABLE BY 7th AUGUST' line - total registration fees inclusive of any remission fee – e.g. for eligible owners $102.00 (3 dogs), $170.00 (5 dogs), $170.00 (8 dogs).
'FEES PAYABLE AFTER 7th AUGUST' line - total registration fees including the 50% penalty (the more than 5 dog remission does not apply) - e.g. $153.00 (3 dogs), $255.00 (5 dogs), $408.00 (8 dogs).

Penalties

Under the provisions of the Dog Control Act dog owners may be issued with an infringement notice if they or their dogs are found committing certain specific offences.

Infringements notices carry a fixed mandatory penalty e.g. keeping an unregistered dog $300, failure to advise change of ownership $100, failure to advise change of address $100, failure to keep dog under proper control $200.