Obligations of Dog Owners

Registration of your dog

• All dog owners with dogs ordinarily kept in the Kaikoura District must register their dogs at the Kaikoura District Council.

• All dogs over the age of 3 months must be registered.

• It is an offence to keep a dog older than 3 months which is unregistered.  On conviction a court may impose a fine of up to $3000.

• It is an offence, when applying for the registration of a dog, to make any written statement knowing that statement to be false. On conviction, a court may impose a fine of up to $3000.

• If any dog is required to be registered after 1 August in any registration year, the fee shall be 1/12th of the annual fee for each complete month remaining in the registration year after the date of such registration.

• If any dog over the age of 3 months is found not wearing a collar with a current registration tag attached, on land or premises other than its owner’s land or premises, or any public place, the dog may be seized and impounded.

Replacement tags may be obtained from the Kaikoura District Council if the current tag has been lost or stolen. Any dog not wearing a collar having a current registration tag attached will, until the contrary is proved, be treated as unregistered.

Change of Ownership

On change of ownership of any registered dog, both the previous and new owners must, within 14 days, give written notice to the Kaikoura District Council, of any change of ownership and the residential address of the new owner and the address at which the dog will be kept.  It is an offence not to comply with this requirement. On conviction, a court may impose a fine of up to $500.

Change of Address

If the owner’s address is changed within the district, the owner must within 14 days, give written notice of the change to the Kaikoura District Council.

Transfer to another district

If a dog is transferred to and kept in the district of another territorial authority, other than the one in which it has been kept, for 1 month or more, the owner must, within 6 weeks of the transfer, give written notice of the transfer to both territorial authorities, setting out the address at which the dog will be kept.  It is an offence not to comply with this requirement.  On conviction, a court may impose a fine of up to $500.

Deceased Dogs

If the fee for the registration of a dog is paid and the dog dies, a refund will be made on request as follows:
• Where a dog dies before the commencement of the year, the full fee will be refunded.
• Where the dog dies during the year, 1/12th of the annual fee for each complete month remaining in the registration year after the date of application for a refund will be refunded.

Neutered Dogs

Owners wishing to claim for a reduced fee for neutered dogs must produce a certificate from a registered veterinarian certifying that the dog has been neutered.

Control of Dogs

Sections 52, 53 and 54A, Dog Control Act 1996
The owner of a dog must keep the dog under control at all times and, when in a public place with the dog, must use or carry a leash at all times.

A dog will be treated as not being under control –
● if it is found at large on any land or premises other than a public place or private way without the consent (express or implied) of the occupier or person in charge of the land or premises; or
● if it is found at large in any public place or in any private way in contravention of any regulations or bylaw.

You will commit an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 if you fail to comply with this provision.

General Obligations 

Section 54, Dog Control Act 1996
The owner of a dog must-
• ensure that the dog receives proper care and attention and is supplied with proper and sufficient food and water, and shelter; and
• ensure that the dog receives adequate exercise.
You will commit an offence and be liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to 3 months or a fine not exceeding $5,000 if you fail to comply with this provision.

Keeping your dog on your property 

Section 52A, Dog Control Act 1996
The owner of a dog must ensure, when the dog is on land or premises occupied by the owner;-
• that the dog is under the direct control of a person; or
• that the dog is confined within the land or premises in such a way that it cannot freely leave the land or premises.
You will commit an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine of $3,000 if you fail to comply with this provision. In addition, a dog control officer or dog ranger may seize and impound the dog.

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