Pigs, deer, horses, chickens, cattle, sheep and dogs - the four-legged residents of our District.

Animal Control

Whakatāne District Council’s Animal Control team is responsible for ensuring that dogs are not creating a nuisance to the public.

For all animal control enquiries or complaints, please contact Animal Control on 07 306 0500.

Animal welfare complaints need to be directed to the SPCA.

Total confidentiality is guaranteed when contacting the Council and reporting a complaint. We'll respond to callouts on matters associated with control of dogs and animals. We are especially responsive to roaming stock and attacks or threatening behaviour from dogs; in these situations, we will respond as quickly as possible to eliminate the risk.

All dogs are required to be microchipped within two months of registration. Please contact us with the microchip certificate so we can update our database.

Sub-pages

Animal Complaints

The Council responds on average to approximately 1200 complaints annually. We cover issues such as aggressive behaviour, roaming dogs, wandering and trespassing stock and noise.

Dog Registration

All dog owners must register their dog(s) with the Council in the district where the dog is kept, and all dogs must be registered by 1 July every year.

Dog Policies and Regulations

View regulations and policies for both local and national dog control.

Dog Ownership Responsibilities

The Dog Control Act 1996, in conjunction with the Council’s Dog Control Bylaw 2018, requires dog owners to be responsible in a number of ways.

Dog Exercise Areas

The Council has an obligation under the Dog Control Act 1996 to have regard to the exercise and recreational needs of dogs and to minimise danger, distress and nuisance to the community.

Dog Impounding

On average, the Council impounds approximately 1200 dogs per year. Most dogs are impounded due to owners' failure to keep their dogs contained or controlled.

Adopt a Dog

Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment and an enormous responsibility. Every dog is unique and we want to ensure that the right home is found for each and every dog we rehome.

Stock/Other

Our Animal Control team will respond to almost anything associated with the control of animals, stock and bees. An immediate response will be actioned upon notification of roaming/wandering stock on district roads.

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Give us general feedback or make enquiries. Bring attention to problems in your neighbourhood and request a service to fix them. Make a complaint about the Council's standard of service or another issue.

Phone: 07 306 0500

Online enquiry form

info@whakatane.govt.nz