Animal Control

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.