Dog Control
Dog Control Staff
Dog Registration/Administration - Ph 03 314 8816 Fax 314 9181
Dog and Stock Control Contractor - Garry Woods: (03) 314 8647 or (021) 873040
Dog Registration
- Application forms available from all offices of the Council.
- Registration fees are due at 1st of July. See Fees and Charges schedule for registration fees.
- 50% penalty fee will be added to unpaid registration fees on a date set by the 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 ordinarily 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.
- The Council mails out a registration form to known owners, annually, 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 the Council.
Dog Control Policy
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. Dog control areas for all districts of the Hurunui.
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 Menacing. The owner may object to the classification in writing. Menacing dogs must be microchipped and may be required by the Council to be neutered. Menancing dogs must be muzzled when in public except when confined completely within a vehicle or cage.
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 Menacing.
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:
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Kept in a securely fenced portion of the owners property
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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
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Must be controlled on a leash
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Must present a certificate stating the dog has been neutered or the dog was not in a fit condition to be neutered
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Must not be disposed of to any other person without written consent of Council
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Must be microchipped
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Will be liable for dog control fees at 150% of the level that would apply if the dog were not classified as a dangerous dog.
Microchipping
The microchip legislation which came into effect on the 1 July 2006 relates to puppies or dogs registered for the first time, menacing or dangerous dogs and impounded dogs.
Working Dogs - 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.
All other dogs – First 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.
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
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The identity of owner and dog can only be given out under certain circumstances.
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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
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Be the registered owner of more than five dogs;
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Pay their registration fee before 1 August of the financial year to which the registration relates;
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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
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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.
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.
Impounding of Dogs
For information on impounded dogs contact local Council office or Dog Control Contractor.