Resource material › Dog Control
Introduction
Dog control is regulated by the Dog Control Act 1996 together with the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003, the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 and the Dog Control Amendment Act 2006. The Act and its Amendments are implemented by local councils with the support of their communities. The intention of the Act is to improve public safety around dogs by making provision for the control of dogs.
The Department of Internal Affairs also maintains a Dog Safety public information website.
Legislation
- Link here to an electronic (pdf) version of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2006 (.pdf) 27k*
- Link here to an electronic (pdf) version of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 (.pdf) 19k*
- Link here to the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 (.pdf) 123k*
- Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 - Summary of key provisions of the Amendment Act that came into force on 1 December 2003.
- Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 - Key Facts 20/7/2006
Guidelines for Organisations to Certify Disability Assist Dogs
- Guidelines for Organisations to Certify Disability Assist Dogs (.pdf) 782k*
Link here to an html version of this document.
The Department of Internal Affairs has developed guidelines to assist organisations in applying to certify disability assist dogs under the Dog Control Act 1996. A disability assist dog is trained to help people with disabilities and may enter and remain in places where other dogs are prohibited to go.
After conferring with the Minister for Disability Issues, the Minister of Local Government can recommend new organisations to be authorised under the Act. These guidelines help to ensure that only suitable organisations are authorised.
Dog Safety and Control Report for 2009/10
- Dog Safety and Control Report for 2009/10 (.pdf) 340k*
The Dog Control Act 1996 makes councils responsible for the control of dogs and makes the registration of dogs mandatory each year. This report presents currently available information on dog populations, dog attacks, enforcement and prosecutions. It provides a snapshot as at May 2010, and is based on analysis of data from the National Dogs Database, supplemented by Accident Compensation Corporation dog bite claim information and Ministry of Justice prosecution information.
Discussion Document documents and consultation 2003-09
This discussion document was released in December 2007 and sought public comment on ideas that could help further improve dog control and public safety around dogs. Submissions closed on 31 March 2008.The Department's analysis of the submissions showed that, on the whole, submitters did not want major legislative changes. Further work on the legislative options outlined in the discussion document is not planned at this time (April 2009).
View, print or download the discussion document:
- Improving Public Safety under the Dog Control Act 1996: Policy Options December 2007 (.pdf version) 220k*
- Link here to an html version of this document
View, print or download the summary of results and analysis of public submissions on the discussion document:
- Summary of Results and analysis of public submissions on the discussion document Improving Public Safety under the Dog Control Act 1996: Policy Options (.pdf version) 56k*
- Link here to an html version of this document
- Dog Control Survey - Final Report (Department of Internal Affairs, June 2003)
- Prime Minister's Statement - Extract from speech to Parliament 11/2/2003.
Further Information
- Dog Microchipping - What owners need to know (.pdf) 230k* Dog Microchipping brochure, October 2009
- Better Dog Control = Safer Communities What you need to know about changes to dog control laws (updated August 2006)
- Registration and Microchipping (more information about Microchipping for dog owners on the Dog Safety website)
- www.dogsafety.govt.nz for practical information about keeping safe around dogs.
