Review scope includes non-compliance penalties, desexing obligations
To tackle issues arising from roaming and uncontrolled dogs, the government ordered a review of the Dog Control Act 1996 to ensure that the legislation empowers local councils to keep communities safe without imposing unnecessary strain on the system and resources.
According to the government’s news release, the scope of the comprehensive review, which remains under consideration, will encompass:
Simon Watts, local government minister, shared that the government will also update enforcement guidelines to provide dog control officers with a consistent approach to their work and clarity on how to respond to incidents and what available tools to utilise.
The government noted that these measures follow numerous dog attacks.
“New Zealanders are appalled by recent attacks by aggressive and out-of-control dogs,” Watts said in the news release. “People are reporting that they are avoiding areas in their neighbourhood because they have been attacked or have reason to believe they will be.”
He stressed the responsibility of pet owners to control their animals to keep their families, their visitors, members of the public, wildlife, and other pets safe.
“Kiwis should be able to walk, run, or take their kids to the park without worrying about being harmed,” Watts said in the news release.
He noted that Local Government New Zealand and councils have relayed that the outdated Dog Control Act prevents them from effectively performing their duties.
“Dog control issues are best managed locally and councils already have enforcement powers under the Dog Control Act,” Watts said in the news release.
He shared that he had sent each council a letter listing his expectations relating to dog control and urging every council to leverage its powers fully.
“The letter also reinforces that the Government wants to work alongside them as we review the Act and continue to update the dog control enforcement guidelines,” Watts said in the news release.
While the review is ongoing, the government has other measures aiming to address dog attacks and promote public safety.
Mark Mitchell, police minister, explained that police will keep collaborating with councils and offering the necessary support to dog control officers.
"Police have a role to play in dog control when council staff have safety concerns while dealing with dangerous and high-risk dogs,” Mitchell said in the news release. “Police will accompany council staff where Police-only powers are required or there are significant safety risks.”
Tama Potaka, conservation minister, noted that the Department of Conservation (DOC) will continue monitoring high-risk areas on public conservation land and expand its professional hunter response to swiftly tackle incidents arising from feral or uncontrolled dogs.
“This will focus on places where dogs pose a risk to people or vulnerable native wildlife, with DOC working closely with councils, iwi, landowners and communities to support early detection and coordinated action where problems arise,” Potaka said in the government’s news release.
The government recently announced a $468,000 grant for dog desexing to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which will contribute $700,000 more, bringing the total investment to nearly $1.2m.
“Dog overpopulation is a significant problem and is often linked to irresponsible breeding. This grant funding supports a practical, preventative measure to help reduce the number of unwanted dogs,” Watts said in the news release.
