Dog Control offences

Legal consequences around safety issues

Some dogs have the predisposition to attack, some attack people for no obvious reason and some attack other animals or stock. Because dog attacks are common in New Zealand, we have special laws and bylaws that dog owners must be aware of in order to help prevent recurring attacks. These rules are:

• Owners of dogs involved in a serious attack can be prosecuted
• Dogs may be impounded and/or put down if they attack people or animals (including protected wildlife).
• If your dog attacks any person, stock, poultry, domestic animal or protected wildlife you can be prosecuted and fined up to $3,000 if convicted, on top of any charges for any damages that occur.
• Your dog will be required to wear a muzzle. If you breach that requirement you may be fined an additional $3,000 and the dog may be then put down.
• If any attack by your dog causes serious injury or death to a person or protected wildlife, you may be liable for a prison term of up to three years and/or a fine of $20,000. Your dog would also most likely be put down.
• An Animal Control Officer, Dog Ranger or Police Constable can enter any premises to seize and impound a dog that is deemed to be threatening the safety of any person or animal.

Probationary or disqualified owners

Any owner can be classified as a probationary or disqualified owner in the following circumstances.

Anybody with three or more infringement notices within a two-year period, or is convicted of any offence under the Dog Control Act 1996 will be classified as a probationary owner. This means:

• The probationary owner status will take effect for two years.
• Any dog not registered at the time of the classification must be re-homed or disposed of within 14 days.
• Any dog already registered may be kept by the owner but the registration fees may incur a 50% surcharge.
• The probationary owner may be required to take dog owner education training and/or a dog obedience class, or disqualified as an owner of a dog as described below.

Anybody with three or more infringement notices within a two-year period, or is convicted of any offence under the Dog Control Act 1996 may also be classified as a disqualified owner. This means:

• They may not be allowed to own a dog for up to five years from the time of disqualification.
• Any dog owned by the disqualified owner must be re-homed or put down within 14 days (the dogs cannot be transferred to another owner at the same address).
• Any owner who breaches these conditions may be fined up to $3,000 and have an additional five years disqualification period extension to their status.

Authorising Unit: Inspections and Enforcement

Last reviewed: Thursday, September 17, 2009

Next review: Friday, September 17, 2010

Keywords: dog control