Mackenzie District Council - Dog Control

Notes on Dog Registration

Download registration form here

Who must register -

All owners with dogs ordinarily kept in the Mackenzie district must register their dogs with the Mackenzie District Council.

When must I register my dog(s)?

All dogs over the age of 3 months must be registered.

It is an offence to keep a dog older than 3 months which is unregistered.

On conviction, a court may impose a fine of up to $3,000.

How do I register?

On completing the registration form you may post the form, together with the appropriate fees payable, to Mackenzie District Council, PO Box 52, Fairlie  7949 or deliver to the office of the Mackenzie District Council.

It is an offence, when applying for the registration of a dog, to make any written statement knowing that statement to be false.

What if I lose my disc or collar?

Replacement discs and tags may be obtained from the Mackenzie District Council for the cost of $1.00 per tag.

Any dog not wearing a collar with a current registration label or disc attached will, until the contrary is proved, be treated as unregistered.

Change of ownership

On change of ownership of any registered dog, both the previous owner and the new owner must, within 14 days, give written notice to the [territorial authority or authorities], of the change of ownership and the residential address of the new owner and the address at which the dog will be kept.

It is an offence not to comply with this requirement. On conviction, a court may impose a fine of up to $500.

If the owner's address is changed within the district, the owner must, within 14 days, give written notice of the change to the Mackenzie District Council.

What if I move to another district?

If any dog is transferred to and kept in the district of another territorial authority, other than the one in which it has been kept, for 1 month or more, the owner must, within 6 weeks of the transfer, give written notice of the transfer to both territorial authorities, setting out the address at which the dog will be kept. It is an offence not to comply with this requirement. On conviction, a court may impose a fine of up to $500.

What if my dog dies?

If the fee for the registration of a dog is paid and that dog dies, a refund will be made on request as follows:

• where a dog dies before the commencement of the year, the full fee will be refunded:
• where the dog dies during the year, 1/12th of the annual fee for each complete month remaining in the registration year after the date of application for a refund will be refunded.

Other important registration notes and legislation

If any dog is first required to be registered after 1 August in any registration year, the fee shall be 1/12th of the annual fee for each complete month remaining in the registration year after the date of such registration.

The registration fees include goods and services tax.

Owners wishing to claim a reduced fee for neutered dogs must produce a certificate from a registered veterinarian certifying that the dog has been neutered.

If any dog over the age of 3 months is found not wearing a collar with a current registration label or disc attached, on land or premises other than its owner's land or premises, or in any public place, the dog may be seized and impounded.

Control of dogs

Sections 52, 53 and 65, Dog Control Act 1996

The owner of a dog must keep the dog under control at all times and, when in a public place, must use or carry a leash at all times.

A dog will be treated as not being under control-

• if it is found at large on any land or premises other than a public place or a private way without the consent (express or implied) of the occupier or person in charge of the land or the premises; or 
• if it is found at large in any public place or in any private way in contravention of any regulations or bylaw.

You will commit an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or an infringement fee of $300 if you fail to comply with this provision.

Obligations of dog owner generally

Section 54, Dog Control Act 1996

The owner of a dog must

• ensure that the dog receives proper care and attention and is supplied with proper and sufficient food, water, and shelter; and
• ensure that the dog receives adequate exercise.

You will commit an offence and be liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to 3 months or to a fine not exceeding $5,000 if you fail to comply with this provision.

Obligations of dog owner on owner's property

Sections 52A and 65, Dog Control Act 1996 (from 1 June 2004)

The owner of a dog must ensure, when the dog is on land or premises occupied by the owner,

• that the dog is under the direct control of a person; or
• that the dog is confined within the land or premises in such a way that it cannot freely leave the land or premises.

You will commit an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine of $3,000 or an infringement fee of $300 if you fail to comply with this provision. In addition, a dog control officer or dog ranger may seize and impound the dog.

Mackenzie District Council 2006