The Responsible Dog Owner Status is a special dog ownership status that recognizes good, responsible dog owners and entitles them to a reduced annual dog registration fee.
Council encourages responsible dog ownership through the promotion of its Responsible Dog Owner Status. The Responsible Dog Owner Status is a special dog ownership status that recognises good, responsible dog owners and entitles them to a reduced annual dog registration fee. Dog owners eligible to be classified as a Responsible Dog Owner must have:
- a record of good and responsible dog ownership;
- consistent and timely payment of dog registration fees; and
- a history of compliance with relevant legislation.
Responsible Dog Owner Criteria
To apply for Responsible Dog Owner Status, the following criteria must be met:
- You are a registered owner of a dog in the Mackenzie District, residing in the District for at least 12 months;
- You have paid all registration fees on or before the 30 June for the last two years;
- You have had all dog’s micro chipped in accordance with the Act, and microchip number provided to the Council;
- You have a license to keep multiple dogs on your property (if applicable);
- You have informed the Council of any dog registration or residential address changes including information on the death, sale or transfer of any dogs and including the birth of any pups;
- You have a property at which the dog resides that is suitably fenced and gated to contain the dog and allows dog free access to a door of the dwelling for authorised callers;
- You can provide for the welfare needs of the dog including providing adequate warm and dry housing, access to clean water and ample food and plenty of exercise area;
- You have complied with the requirements of the Dog Control Bylaw and must not in the past two years have a dog that has been found at large, been uncontrolled or been chased, returned or impounded by Council, been issued with a warning notice or infringement notice or been prosecuted for any dog related offence.
Owners of dogs classified as menacing under the Act may be considered for Responsible Dog Owner Status provided all criteria are strictly met. The granting and retention of Responsible Dog Owner Status is at the discretion of the attending Dog Control Officer.
Owners of Dogs classified as dangerous under the Act are not eligible to apply for Responsible Dog Owner Status.
Apply for Responsible Dog Owner status
Responsible Dog Owner Conditions
A dog owner seeking Responsible Dog Owner Status must meet the above criteria and apply for the status online or at the Council officers in Fairlie and Twizel.
All dogs owned or kept by the applicant must be controlled in accordance with the Act and the Dog Control Bylaw. The Council reserves the right to carry out random property inspections (in accordance with the Act) to ensure compliance.
Any breach of the criteria and conditions of this Policy will lead to the immediate withdrawal of the Responsible Dog Owner Status.
Should Responsible Dog Owner Status be withdrawn because the criteria and conditions of this Policy have been breached, the owner may not apply for, or be considered for, the status again until two years after the date of withdrawal.
Responsible Dog Owner Fees
Responsible dog owner status fees
| Fees 2025/26 | |
|---|---|
| Urban dog | $40.00 |
| Initial Inspection Fee | $25.00 |
The discounted fee for dog owners who have achieved Responsible Dog Owner Status must be paid each year by 30 June.
If payment is not received by 30 June, the Responsible Dog Owner status will be revoked. The owner will be unable to reapply for this status for two years, and will be required to pay the standard urban registration fee.
Change of Ownership
Where the ownership of a dog changes, the registration for that year will continue. The old and new owner must however advise the Council of any change to allow a new registration tag to be issued.