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Legal obligations

Dog Control Policy

Your job as a dog owner

Here are a few of your responsibilities under the Dog Control Act 1996:

  • Register your dog with us
  • Micro-chip your dog within two months of registering it
  • Keep your dog under control at all times, when you’re out and about or at home
  • Give your dog lots of love and attention. That means food, water and shelter, plus vet treatment, flea and worm treatments and of course time with you!
  • Take your dog for lots of walks
  • Make sure your dog doesn’t cause a nuisance like barking or howling
  • Make sure your dog doesn’t hurt people, animals or property

The Dog Control Act 1996 requires all councils to formulate a policy on dog control practices specific to their area. In doing so, we must have regard to:

  • The need to minimise danger, distress and nuisance to the community.
  • The need to avoid danger from uncontrolled dogs having access to areas frequented by children.
  • Enabling people, to the extent that is practical, access to streets and public amenities without fear of attack or intimidation by dogs.
  • The exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners

The policy also includes information about areas where you can exercise your dog off the leash, and other areas where dogs are prohibited.

Policy on the Control of Dogs in the Waipa District 2023 (PDF, 2328KB)

Dog Control Bylaw

In addition to our Dog Control policy, we are required by legislation to have a Dog Control Bylaw: Dog Control Bylaw 2023

Dog Control Act 1996

Do you understand what is required of you as a dog owner? The following is taken from Section 5 of the Dog Control Act 1996.

The Act requires every owner of a dog to:

a) Register the dog from three months of age and promptly notify the council of any change of address or ownership of the dog.

b) Ensure that the dog is kept confined or under control at all times.

c) Ensure that the dog receives proper care and attention and is supplied with proper and sufficient food, water and shelter.

d) Ensure that the dog receives adequate exercise.

e) Ensure that the dog does not cause a nuisance to any other person, e.g. by barking or howling or any other means

f) Ensure that the dog does not injure, endanger, intimidate, or cause distress to any person.

g) Ensure that the dog does not injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife.

h) Ensure that the dog does not damage or endanger any property belonging to any other person.

i) Comply with the requirements of the Dog Control Act 1996 and of all bylaws made under this Act.

Dog Control Act 1996

Schedule 4 - Dog Control Act 1996

List of breeds/type of dog subject to ban on importation and required to be classified as menacing:

Part 1 - Breed of dog

  • Brazilian Fila
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Perro de Presa Canario

Part 2 - Type of dog

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
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