Mackenzie District Council - Dog Control

As a current or future dog owner, what are my responsibilities?

There have been a number of changes to the laws on Dog Control, and this section is intended to provide information on how the law changes affect you.

Key Changes and Obligations

The new Act has introduced new categories for dog control.  They are categorised as prohibited dogs, menacing dogs and dangerous dogs.

Prohibited Dogs

It is now unlawful to import or bring into the country either live animals, semen, ova or embryo of any of the following dogs

1. American Pit Bull Terrier
2. Dogo Argentino
3. Brazilian Fila
4. Japanese Tosa

“Menacing” and “Dangerous” Dogs

Councils can now declare a dog “Menacing” if the dog poses a threat to stock and human wellbeing.  These dogs must be leashed and muzzled when in public.  A “Dangerous” dog must be leashed while in a public area.  The owners of a menacing or dangerous dog must advise anyone to whom they lend the dog of the requirements that the dog must be leashed and/or muzzled when in public.

National Dog Database

As of May 1st 2006 all Councils are required to provide local dog control information to a National Dog Database.

The database is part of a package of measures designed to improve public safety around dogs through the use of stronger deterrents, preventative measures and extra enforcement powers against irresponsible dog owners and dangerous dogs.

In preparation for uploading our data to this database we are required to have all our owner and dog information complete and current. Most of this preparation has already been done but there are still a few incomplete records to update. You may receive a call from our office requesting further details such as the owner’s date of birth, full name or address details. Your co-operation in keeping these records accurate would be appreciated as all these details are a legal requirement and therefore compulsory to supply. Failure to do so can result in an infringement fine.

Mackenzie District Council has a policy on the control of dogs in our District. Copies can be obtained from our offices in Fairlie and Twizel.

What about you as the Owner?  What are your obligations?

• Councils now have the powers to disqualify owners from owning a dog if they incur more than three infringement fines over a 2 year period or are convicted of an offence under the Dog Control Act.
• If you take a dog in a public area you must carry a leash at all times. Dangerous and menacing dogs must be either leashed and/or muzzled at all times.
• If a dog has been ordered to be destroyed you must provide a certificate to prove that this has occurred.
• If a dog is involved in a serious attack the penalty for the owner has been increased from a maximum of 3 months imprisonment and/or a fine up to $5,000, to 3 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $20,000.
• From 1 June 2004, a dog must be secure in your property either:
  1. under the direct control of a person; or
  2. confined so that it cannot freely leave the property
• All dogs first registered after 1 June 2006 and all dogs classified as menacing or dangerous since 1 December 2003 will be required to have a microchip installed.
• If you have not registered a dog or you provide false information when registering a dog you can be fined or convicted of an offence under the new Act.
• Every person must advise the Council of a change of ownership or change of address. Failure to do so can result in an instant fine.

Domestic Dog Owners

In keeping with the Mackenzie District’s “Zero Waste” policy we will be supplying 1 packet of 25 “BioDoggy” 100% biodegradable and compostable bags for the removal of dog waste from around our streets and green areas.

Unlike plastic bread and supermarket bags, these bags can be used to remove dog waste, and then deposited in organic or compostable waste receptacles or buried at home. These bags simply disappear within a 45 day period of being placed in a composting facility or landfill as they are consumed by the micro-organisms in the soil.

Further supplies of these bags can be purchased from the Fairlie and Twizel Council Offices.

Remember:

Change Of Address/Change Of Ownership

Remember to notify Council of any change of address or change of ownership relating to your dog/s (you are legally required to do this).

Just a quick phone call to one of our offices in Fairlie (685-8514) or Twizel (435-0737) helps us to keep our database accurate and up-to-date.

Thank you for your consideration of this information. Please assist the Council to present dog ownership in a positive light and to reduce any adverse aspect of dog ownership.

Registration Form

• The Dog Control Act 1996 requires that Council obtain the:
  1. Full name of the dog owner
  2. Owner’s date of birth
  3. Actual address where the dog is kept
• Please ensure that you supply this information to Council, so that your application for registration can be accepted.
• Payment of the Registration Fee - Instalment payments can be made up to 1 August 2006. After this time, a penalty fee will be imposed on outstanding Registration Fees. Please discuss any problems in paying your Registration Fees with the Council Staff.
• Council will prosecute for non registration of a dog.

Should you have any dog control concerns, feel free to contact any of the Mackenzie Team:

Ross Candy – Animal Control Contractor (Fairlie and Tekapo areas), Phone (03) 685-8616 or 025 266-0916

Scott Aronsen – Animal Control Officer (Twizel), Phone 0274 351 588.

Claire Barlow – for Dog Registration queries, Phone (03) 685 8514,
e-mail Dog Registration

Craig Lyon  – Manager – Planning and Regulations, Direct Dial (03) 685 9019, e-mail Dog Control