Dog Registration Please Note the Changes

Dog owners will notice changes over registration this year with requirements for more detail, microchipping of first time dogs and a ‘get tough’ stance for infringements.

Those who have not registered their dogs by August 1 can expect a “polite” reminder to be followed by a $300 infringement notice for “failure to register” if the fees are not paid immediately.

Registration forms will be sent out towards the end of the month for the August 1 deadline.

In order to avoid un necessary follow up administration costs the council requires the return of registration forms regardless of whether an owner has left the district, no longer has a dog/s, or the dog/s has died.

For rural dog owners delivery changes with NZ Post mean that a full postal address and not just a rural delivery zone is required.

First time dogs must be microchipped. As it is not acceptable to advise a microchip number by telephone, owners are asked to return the veterinary certificate to the nearest service centre within one month of registration.

The council’s get-tough stance on infringement notices is a move to cut down on staff time and resources spent on chasing up on unregistered dogs, compliance officer Clayton Locke says.

“In the past we have been very lenient with these notices and have frequently waived them, but now, once the notice is issued the council will prosecute.”

The council will make bank instalment options available for those unable to make the full payment by setting up a Direct Debit system for minimum payments of $10 weekly. Enquiries should be made before August 1.

Anyone having problems with the registration forms or whose details have changed is asked to contact a service centre.