Dog control fees in the Whakatāne District will remain the same for the 2019/20 year, which starts on 1 July.
That follows a decision by the Whakatāne District Council's Policy Committee to retain the existing fees for dog registration, impounding and microchip transponder implants.
Reporting to the Committee on 18 April, Council Planning and Infrastructure General Manager David Bewley said the Dog Control Act 1996 required proposed dog control fees to be advertised at least one month before the start of the registration year.
"That means dog control fees must be adopted earlier than the other fees and charges included in the Council’s draft Annual Plan," he said.
The 2019/20 registration fee for de-sexed dogs (provided payment is made on or before 2 August 2019) will remain at $50 (increasing to $75 if paid after 2 August); while the fee for entire (unneutered) dogs will be $75 (increasing to $112.50 if paid after 2 August). The fee for working dogs and dogs owned by incorporated hunt clubs will be $50 per dog ($75 if paid after 2 August). Certified disability assist dogs and dogs used by Government agencies for specific purposes (such as law enforcement or biosecurity) are free of charge. For dogs under 12 months old, a proportion of the applicable fee will be charged (note: dogs under three months old do not need to be registered).
Impounding fees will be $60 for a first impounding; $90 for a second impounding; and $120 for a third and subsequent impounding. Additional charges will apply for dogfood and after-hours impoundings (between 5pm and 8 am).
Registration fee invoices will be posted to known dog owners in June. All dogs are legally required to be registered and failure to do so is an offence under the Dog Control Act.