Animal Services officers have the right to seize and impound any wandering dog. Lost and impounded dogs may be held by Council.
To find out where your dog is being held, contact us here.
Lost Dogs
Microchipping and registration helps make sure that a dog can be identified and returned to you quickly.
If you've lost your dog, call us on 0800 685 8514 or report your dog missing at MyMDC.
Check with your neighbours and post photos and descriptions on local noticeboards.
You can also use the following to help find your lost pet:
As a dog owner, you're legally responsible for keeping your dog under control at all times. If you don't, you could be fined up to $3,000 under Section 53 of the Dog Control Act.
If your dog is found roaming it will be impounded at your expense. We will let you know either by phone or written notice that we have your dog if it's identifiable through microchipping.
Impounded dogs
A dog is usually impounded if it is allowed to roam uncontrolled and this is reported to Council, or if it has wandered on to a property and the property owner requests its removal.
Impounded dogs are held for seven days by Council.
Council will not release your dog until the fees are paid in full.
- Note: If you do not claim your impounded dog, you'll still have to pay the fees.
Seized dogs
A dog can be seized from its own property if it's unregistered or if it's posing a threat to public safety - e,g. if it has attacked a person, stock or poultry.
If your dog is seized, you will be required to pay a seizure fee and potentially other fees depending on what action is taken.
If a dog has not been collected within seven days, it becomes Mackenzie District Council property.
Unclaimed dogs
Dogs that are unclaimed after seven days become the property of Mackenzie District Council.
Under Section 69 (3) of the Dog Control Act 1996, the territorial authority may, after the expiration of 7 days after the date of seizure of the dog, sell, destroy, or otherwise dispose of the dog in such manner as it thinks fit.
Once a dog becomes Council property, it may undergo extensive temperament testing to assess whether the dog is rehomeable.
Other lost animals
Other animals are occasionally impounded. If you've lost a family pet or stock, contact us here.