Dog owner responsibilities

It is a big responsibility owning a dog.  There are a number of legal obligations for dog owners. Dogs must be registered and controlled properly to the requirements of the Dog Control Act 1996 and the Council’s Dog Control Bylaw 2007.

The Dog Control Act 1996 in conjunction with Council's Dog Control Bylaw 2007 requires dog owners to:

1. Ensure that their dog is registered on or before the age of  three months. Yearly registration renewal is required on or before 1 July each year
2. Ensure that their dog wears a collar with a current registration tag affixed
3. Microchip their dog (for details of which dog are exempt please see Microchipping.
4. Notify Council if their contact details change, or their dog is desexed
5. Notify Council within 14 days if they move address or their dog changes ownership. If you move to or from another area you need to inform both Councils
6. Keep their dog under control at all times
7. Ensure that their dog receives proper care and attention and that they supply their dog with adequate food, water, shelter and adequate exercise
8. Take all responsible steps to ensure that the dog does not cause a nuisance to any other person whether by persistent and loud barking, howling, or by any other means
9. Take all reasonable steps to ensure their dog does not injure, endanger, intimidate, or otherwise cause distress to any person, or injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife
10. Keep their dog confined to their property in such a manner that it can not freely leave their land or premises, or ensure their dog is under the direct control of a person
11. Ensure that their dog is leashed when it is in a public place
12. Pick up their doggy doos when this occurs outside of their property
13. If you wish to keep more than two dogs on their property (on properties zoned other than rural) make application to Council prior to acquiring additional dogs, pay the appropriate permit application fee and comply with the permit requirements at all times
14. Contain their dog if it has a contagious disease
15. Provide appropriate confinement for bitches ‘in season’

Click on the links below to see more information about the policies and bylaw

• Waikato District Council Dog Control Policy 2007 (as existing)
• Waikato District Council Dog Control Bylaw 2007 (as existing)
• Dog Control Act 1996