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Dog Control Fees and Charges

Dog Control Fees 2024/25

(Sections 37 and 38, Dog Control Act 1996 and Section 12, Local Government Act 2002)

  • Owners are required to register their dogs by 30 June each year, failing which an additional late fee of 50% of the base fee will apply.
  • All puppies must be registered by the time they are 3 months old.

Note: The following fees were adopted by Council on 26 April 2023.

Non-Working Dogs2024/25
Entire dogs $160
Entire dogs - (paid by 30 June) $106
Neutered dogs $110
Neutered dogs - (paid by 30 June) $73
Responsible dog owner $42
Working Dogs
Working dog $37
Working dog - (paid by 30 June) $25
Hunting Dogs
Hunting dog $41
Hunting dog - (paid by 30 June) $27
*Note: the hunting dog classification applies only to dogs that are used for pig and deer hunting in the conservation estate - not water fowl hunting dogs
Dangerous Dog Classification
Registration at 150% of the level that would apply if the dog were not classified as a Dangerous Dog.
For example: Non-working entire dog $160.00 x 150% = $240.
Dog Impounding2024/25
First impounding $90
Second impounding $180
Third impounding $285
Daily sustenance and care $17
Registration Investigation $33
Surrender Fee $50
Re-homing Fee $50
Other Fees2024/25
Dog Replacement Tags $4
Licence Fee for More than Two Dog Permit $45
Micro-chipping $25
Hire of Dog Trap
Per Week
Plus Bond
$25
$110
Replacement of Trap Current cost of replacement value
Seizure Fee (on top of impounding fee) $80

Dog Ownership and Your Responsibilities as a Dog Owner

Click here for further information on how to consider becoming a Dog Owner and Your Responsibilities.

Registering Your Dog

In New Zealand, The Dog Control Act 1996 requires all dogs over 3 months old to be registered with their local council every year by 1 July. If your dog reaches the age of 3 months after 1 July it must be registered by the date it reaches that age.

Registration fees are set by councils to take into account the cost of providing dog control services in their area and also to ensure that dog owners bear the costs of dog control and the subsequent benefits to ratepayers of having safe and well controlled dogs in their community.

Each council keeps a record of all dogs registered. Information on the dog and its owner along with its microchip number (if it has one) is provided to the National Dog Data Base (NDD). The NDD enables lost and stolen animals to be reunited with owners and keeps track of dogs deemed to be menacing and dangerous. The NDD is only accessible by councils and vets use a different database for microchip records. New Zealand vets mainly use the Animal Companion Register for microchipping and is often referred to by vets as the National Dog Database. Confusing? yes it can be.

The Animal Companion Register is an excellent user pay service for pet owners. It allows for microchip numbers to be accessed by vets and other agencies. Whereas the NDD used by councils is free of charge and is compulsory for dog microchip numbers. You may choose to have the vet microchip your dog and only give the information to your council with your dog registration, or you can also pay to be on the vet database.

Dog registration and microchipping are two separate processes. You must register your dog every year, but you only need to microchip your dog once.

Fines that can be Issued to Dog Owners

As well as caring for your dog, following the rules set by the Dog Control Act and local Council Bylaws is another important dog owner responsibility.

These rules are in place to ensure:

  1. People and other animals are kept safe from dogs
  2. Dogs do not create a nuisance
  3. Dogs are kept under control
  4. Councils can keep accurate dog records through dog registration

There are a number of infringement fines that can be issued to dog owners who fail in these areas.

These fines are set by Central Government and cannot be altered by local Councils.

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