Dog Owners

Dog Owners

Dog owners are responsible for their dog and its behaviour. Section 5 of the Dog Control Act 1996 sets out statutory obligations for every dog owner which they are required to comply with and include:

• Ensuring that the dog is registered in accordance with the Act and that all relevant territorial authorities are promptly notified of any change of address or ownership of the dog.
• Ensuring that the dog is kept under control at all times.
• Ensuring that the dog receives proper care and attention and is supplied with proper and sufficient food, water and shelter;
• Ensuring that the dog receives adequate exercise.
• Taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not cause a nuisance to any other person, whether by persistent and loud barking or howling or by any other means.
• Taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not injure, endanger, intimidate, or otherwise cause distress to any person.
• Taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife.
• Taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not damage or endanger any property belonging to any other person.
• Complying with the requirements of the Act and of all regulations and bylaws made under the Act.

Dog Owner Handbook

Being a Responsible Dog Owner

Control of Dogs Bylaw 2014

Control of Dogs Bylaw sets the standards of control that must be observed by dog owners. It covers matters such as:

• Dogs in public places
• Wandering dogs
• Ownership of dogs
• Nuisances caused by dogs

Dog Control and Owner Responsibility Policy 2014

Through this policy Council seeks to promote a high standard of dog care and control so that people can enjoy the benefits of dog ownership without adversely affecting other members of the public, and for people of all ages to feel safe in our communities during their interactions with dogs.

Dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash at all times when in a public place, (excluding those locations designated as dog exercise areas or where dogs are specifically prohibited). Dog owners are required to keep their dog under continuous and effective control when in a public place.

Dog Control Act 1996

The Act makes the Council responsible for the control of dogs and makes the annual registration of dogs mandatory. The legislation stipulates that it is an offence to own a dog over the age of 3 months that is not registered.

Animal Welfare Act 1999

This Act ensures that owners of animals and persons in charge of animals attend properly to the welfare of those animals.

Microchipping

Amendments to the Dog Control Act 1996 now require certain dogs to be implanted with a functioning microchip transponder. The intent of the legislation is to provide dogs with a unique number to assist in tracking of dogs classified as dangerous and to protect the interests of society as a whole.

A microchip is a Radio Frequency Identification System and functions very similar to a supermarket bar-code. It has no power source which means that it doesn't transmit a signal, it only responds to a scanner.

There are many dogs already micro-chipped and many exotic or expensive animals are micro-chipped all over the world. The greatest benefit to a dog owner is that if a mirco-chipped dog is lost, stolen, has escaped or strayed it can be easily identified and reunited with the owner.

Dog Required to be Micro-chipped:

There are five different categories of dogs that have to be microchipped:

• Classified Dangerous after 1 December 2003
• Classified Menacing after 1 December 2003
• Registered for the first time after 1 July 2006
• Impounded, Registered for the second time after 1 July 2006
• Impounded, Un-registered after 1 July 2006

Multi Dog Permit

Under the Control of Dogs Bylaw you are now required to apply for a Multi Dog Permit if you have more than 2 dogs

NUMBER OF DOGS AT A RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

• No occupier/s of any property in an residential area (as per Councils District Plan) shall allow or cause to remain or keep on the property, more than two (2) dogs, over the CONTROL OF DOGS BYLAW | Rangitīkei District Council 7 age of three (3) months (whether or not such dogs are registered) unless the occupier has obtained a multi-dog permit from Council.
• A multi-dog permit and fee may be issued upon or subject to such terms, conditions or restrictions as Council may consider necessary and any breach of such terms, conditions or restrictions shall result in revocation of the permit.
• Any person requesting to allow or cause to remain or to keep more than two (2) dogs on any premises as provided in the Bylaw shall apply in writing to Council in such form as may be required by Council for a multi-dog permit. The permit issued is for a three (3) year period.

Apply for a Multi Dog Permit

'Good Dog' Status Classification

Any person who is a responsible dog owner, and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Council’s dog control officer, that they are able to comply with the following requirements, will be entitled to a discounted registration fee. The requirements for ‘Good Dog Owner' status are:

• The dog is provided with adequate accommodation. Kennels are sited on a hard surface and kept clean, and are able to provide the dog with shelter from the elements and be free from dampness. In the event that the dog does not have a kennel, the dog must be kept in a building.
• When the dog is not under the direct control of the owner it must be kept in a completely fenced off or contained area.
  At all times the dog is under the proper control.
• The dog is not fed, nor has access to, any raw offal or untreated sheep or goat meat.
• The dog is registered.
• The owner will be in attendance when required for any inspection and shall provide the dog control officer with assistance as requested.
• The owner will promptly notify Council of any birth, death, sale or transfer of any dog they own.
• The owner will comply with all requirements of the Act and Council’s bylaw.

Failure to comply with any of the above conditions may result in the dog owner losing their Good Dog Owner status for a minimum of two complete registration years, effective immediately except in the case of late registration, in which case the dog owner will lose their Good Dog Owner status for a period of one registration year. The loss of a Good Dog Owner status will result in the dog owner being liable for the payment of the difference between their Good Dog Owner status fee and whichever other fee they would otherwise be liable for.

Apply for Good Dog Owner Status

Alternatively lodge a Request For Service on our website or call into our Council Office in High Street Marton or Hautapu Street Taihape between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm weekdays.

To arrange for a Good Dog Owner inspection please contact the Rangitīkei District Council on 0800 422 522.