Skip to content
Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

Dog owner responsibilities

Haepapa aa te kaiwhiwhi

As good dog owners, it is your responsibility to provide the love, care and attention necessary to make sure our pets are happy, safe and healthy.

It also means knowing our responsibilities regarding ownership of our pets, local law requirements and being considerate of others who share our public places who aren’t pet owners.

What makes a responsible dog owner? 

If you own a dog or are intending to get one, you should make yourself familiar with our dog policy and bylaw requirements. You will need to:

Register your dog

  • your dog must be registered on or before the age of three months.
  • yearly registration renewal is required.
  • your dog must wear a collar with a current registration tag attached to it
  • microchip your dog

Learn more

Change of details?

You will need to notify us if your contact details have changed, if you move address, the dog changes ownership, your dog has been desexed or received a new microchip.

Notify us here

If you move to or from another area you need to inform both councils

Be a responsible dog owner

Your dog must be kept under control at all times, you must take all reasonable steps to ensure your dog does not:

  • injure, endanger, intimidate, or otherwise cause distress to any person, or
  • injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife
  • see dog attacks and aggression for more info including what dogs are classified as menacing by breed.

You must also ensure:

  • your dog receives proper care and attention
  • provide it with adequate food, water, shelter and exercise
  • ensure your dog doesn't cause a nuisance to any other person (whether by persistent and loud barking, howling, or by any other means)
  • keep your dog confined to your property so that it can't get out or is under the direct control of a person
  • ensure your dog is leashed when it's in a public place - unless it is being exercised off leash in approved dog exercise areas (and still under your direct control)
  • pick up your dog's faeces and dispose of them responsibly, when outside of your own property.
  • contain your dog if it has a contagious disease
  • provide appropriate confinement for bitches ‘in season’.

More than two dogs?

If you wish to keep more than two dogs on your property (on properties zoned other than rural), you will also need to make application to the Council before you get the extra dog(s) and pay the appropriate permit application fee.

You will also need to comply with the permit requirements at all times. 

Apply here

Dog droppings

Dog owners must collect and dispose of their dog’s droppings responsibly and to always carry an appropriate container such as a plastic bag or pooper scooper.

Dog droppings carry many diseases, so please pick up after your dog and keep our streets, parks and waterways clean.

Barking dogs 

Dogs bark, it’s what they do, however dogs are not allowed to bark persistently and loudly.

Excessive barking can be annoying for neighbours and the community. The longer a dog continues to bark, the longer it can take to change the dog’s behaviour.

Dogs often bark because they are bored, lonely or frustrated due to lack of exercise and mental stimulation.

    Daily exercise

    Normal, healthy dogs need to go for walks and outings as often as you can take them – regardless of how big or little they are, or how big your property is; dogs are not self-exercising.

    Dogs who are walked frequently are less likely to exhibit problem behaviours like constant running around, excessive barking, pacing and escaping.

    Walk before you leave

    Walking your dog before you leave for work in the morning will help reduce some of their energy levels for the long day ahead until you get home.

    If your dog is a little calmer during the day because of a morning walk, they will be less likely to bark. A second shorter walk once you get home will also work wonders

    Shorter walks, more frequently

    Avoid increasing the length of your walk and concentrate on getting your dog out of the house more often.

    If on a normal day you allocate 20-30min to walk your dog you can split that time into 2 x 10-15minute walks for better effect.

    Stop and smell the roses

     Allow your dog to stop and sniff any time they want to on their walks (as long as it’s safe). While you may feel initially that you’ll never get anywhere, you’ll find over the weeks that the time spent sniffing particular spots diminishes.

    You take your dog on their walks for them – if they want to sniff, let them.

    Enrichment ideas

    When dogs are bored, they can misbehave by barking. You can increase their stimulation and try to stop this

    • give your dog bones, toys, balls etc. to keep your dog amused during the day
    • rotate any toys daily so that there’s ‘new’ things to play with
    • exercising your dog prior to leaving them alone
    • leaving the TV or radio on when no one is home
    • try leaving an unwashed item of old clothing as bedding for the dog - the familiar smell is reported to have a calming effect in many cases.

    Treats!

    • put your dog’s breakfast or dinner into food dispensing toys like Kong, treatballs, and any number of other toys available on the market. This will keep your dog busy figuring out how to access food and being reinforced for calm and quiet when they do get treats out.
    • scatter your dog’s meals out on the lawn, or in the house so that they have to spend time finding each individual piece.
    • using a sandpit and hiding doggie treats in it
    • getting a small child's bucket and mixing gravy and doggie treats in it, fill with water and freeze, and give it to your dog as a treat


    You can also try:

    • keeping  your dog in an area where he/she cannot see things to bark at it.
    • consider working with a trainer to help you teach your dog to stop barking on command, yelling at your dog has no effect.
    • take your dog to a doggy daycare facility while you're at work - they provide plenty of stimulation and exercise for your pet and your dog is socialised with other dogs - so it's a friendlier, safer dog when out and about elsewhere with you and in the home
    • Remember! Never hit your dog, this causes mistrust and will not stop the barking.

    If all else fails seek advice from a professional such as a dog trainer, local obedience club, animal control officer or your local vet.

    Under nuisance laws, we can investigate complaints about noise from domestic animals in the community. If your dog constantly barks you may be fined or taken to court where you could be ordered to take action to stop your dog barking.

    Infringement fines 

    Impounding - Dog Control Act 1996, section 68 ($)

    First impounding 80.00
    Second impounding 130.00
    Third or subsequent impounding 160.00
    Seizure – additional to
    impounding fee     		100.00
    Sustenance 22.00

     

    Infringement offences - Dog Control Act 1996, section 66

    (GST is not applicable to these fees)

    Wilful obstruction of a dog
    control officer or ranger     		750.00

     

    Infringement offences - Dog Control Act 1996, section 66

    (GST is not applicable to these fees)

    Failure or refusal to supply
    information or wilfully providing false particulars     		750.00

    Infringement offences - Dog Control Act 1996, section 66

    (GST is not applicable to these fees)

    Failure to supply information or
    wilfully providing false particulars about a dog     		750.00
    Failure to comply with any bylaw
    authorised by section 20 of the Dog Control Act     		300.00
    Failure to undertake dog owner
    education programme or dog obedience course (or both)     		300.00
    Failure to comply with obligations of
    probationary owner     		750.00
    Failure to comply with effects of
    disqualification     		750.00
    Failure to comply with effects of
    classification of dog as dangerous dog     		300.00
    Fraudulent sale or transfer of
    dangerous dog     		500.00
    Failure to comply with effects of
    classification of dog as menacing     		300.00
    Failure to advise person of muzzle
    and leashing requirements     		100.00
    Failure to implant microchip
    transponder in dog     		300.00
    False statement relating to dog
    registration     		750.00
    False notifying death of dog 750.00
    Failure to register dog 300.00

    Infringement offences - Dog Control Act 1996, section 66

    (GST is not applicable to these fees)

    Fraudulent procurement or
    attempt to procure replacement dog registration label or disc     		500.00
    Failure to advise change of dog
    ownership     		100.00
    Failure to advise change of
    address     		100.00
    Removal, swapping or
    counterfeiting of registration label or disc     		500.00
    Failure to keep dog controlled
    or confined     		200.00
    Failure to keep dog under
    control     		200.00
    Failure to provide proper care
    and attention to supply proper and sufficient food, water and shelter and to provide adequate exercise     		300.00
    Failure to carry a leash in
    public     		100.00
    Failure to comply with barking
    dog abatement notice     		200.00
    Allowing dog known to be
    dangerous to be at large unmuzzled or unleashed     		300.00
    Failure to advise of muzzle and
    leasing requirements     		100.00
    Releasing dog from custody 750.00


    Apply for a responsible dog owner license

    Apply for responsible dog owner status by 30 April each year to lower your annual fees for the dog registration year commencing 1 July.

    Apply for responsible dog owner license


    Summer tips

    Hot summer months can present some challenges for our animals. Here some tips tips on helping your pet stay happy, healthy and cool during summer.

    Hot paws
    Little paws can suffer from serious burns. The 5 second test is a quick and easy way to check if the pavement or sand is safe for your furry friends. How it works: If you can't hold your hand on the pavement or sand for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog on it
    Dogs in hot cars

    If you love them, don’t leave them!

    Never leave your pets in a parked car. Even in the shade or with the window down it doesn't take long for your vehicle to heat up.

    On a 30°C day, the temperature inside your car can reach 39°C in less than 5 minutes and in 30 minutes, it can go up to 49°C; this could be fatal.

    If you see an animal or child unattended in a locked vehicle, phone AA New Zealand on 0800 500 222; they will make it a priority to send someone out.

    You don’t need to be an AA member and won’t be charged.

    Exercising in summer

    As the summer heat continues it is important to remember to avoid exercising your dog during the hottest times of the day.

    Opt for an early morning walk or an evening stroll and keep away from that peak sun.

    Go slow and bring water.

    Water and shade

    Don't forget to make sure your dog has plenty of water and shade this summer.

    If dogs are too hot and cannot cool down they can develop heat stroke, which can be fatal. Early signs of heat stroke can include:

    • Excessive panting/difficulty breathing
    • Excessive drooling
    • Bright red gums
    • Weakness or dizziness

    Check out the SPCA's website for more info around keeping pets safe in summer.

    Livestock

    They are often forgotten, but livestock, like dogs and cats, can suffer in the summer heat. This includes horses, cows, sheep and goats!

    • A constant supply of clean water and shelter is a must.
    • Animals carrying more than one year’s fleece must be shorn before summer height; newly shorn animals need shade to prevent sunburn.

    Signs of heat stroke include excessive panting and drooling, restlessness, unsteadiness, abnormal gum and tongue colour and collapse.

    If you find an animal suffering from heat stroke:

    • Move the animal into the shade
    • Offer the animal a small amount of water to drink, spray or soak the animal’s neck, abdomen and inner thigh; use cool but not cold water
    • Contact a vet ASAP.

    For more info on how to keep your stock safe this summer, check out the SPCA website.

    Top