Dog Control Fees and Charges

Dog Control Fees 2026/27

(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 13 May 2026.

Non-Working Dogs
Entire dogs	$194.25
Entire dogs - (paid by 30 June)	$129.50
Neutered dogs	$149.25
Neutered dogs - (paid by 30 June)	$99.50
Responsible dog owner	$64.50
Working Dogs
Working dog	$52.50
Working dog - (paid by 30 June)	$35
Hunting Dogs*
Hunting dog	$67.50
Hunting dog - (paid by 30 June)	$45
*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 Impounding
First impounding	$90
Second impounding	$180
Third impounding	$285
Daily sustenance and care	$17
Registration Investigation	$33
Surrender Fee	$75
Re-homing Fee	Actual costs
Other Fees
Dog Replacement Tags	$5
Licence Fee for More than Two Dog Permit (excl rural zoning)	$180
Licence Fee for More than Two Dog Permit reinspection when moving to a new address (excl rural zoning)	$100
Micro-chipping	$30
Hire of Dog Trap Per Week Plus Bond	$25 $110
Replacement of Trap	Current cost of replacement value
Seizure Fee (plus impounding)	$90

Frequently Asked Questions About Owning Dogs

Dog Registration

When do I have to register my puppy? All dogs must be registered as soon as he/she turns 12 weeks or 3 months of age.

I just got an adult dog that is not registered, when do I have to register him/her? You need to register your new dog as soon as you take over ownership - i.e. it is in your custody.

How long does my registration last? The registration of a dog in New Zealand is a process that must be completed annually. Once your dog is registered in a district, you will receive a new registration reminder in June of every year.

How long do I have to pay my dog registration? You have until the 31st of July to pay your dog registration. After this date you will incur a penalty rate for a late payment.

Do I HAVE to register my dog? Yes, The Dog Control Act 1996 states that all dogs over the age of 3 months or 12 weeks must be registered in the district that they are kept in.

What if I just can't afford to come up with the money to pay my dog registration? Ring the Council Office or come in and ask to speak to a Customer Service representative or alternatively a Compliance Officer and they will take you through your options. Don't just leave it because there will be enforcement action taken if you do nothing.

Microchipping

Do I have to microchip my dog? Yes, all dogs newly registered after July 2006 must be microchipped, so unless your dog was born and registered before July 2006 you MUST have your dog microchipped. Rural working dogs do not need to be chipped.

Where can I get my dog microchipped? Any Vet Clinic will microchip your dog on appointment at a set fee.

Can a Compliance Officer microchip my dog? Yes. Officers are trained and experienced in microchipping dogs.

What is the cost to get my dog microchipped through the Council? The current microchipping fee charge can be found in the dog control fees above. The Compliance Officers are fairly flexible about where they can chip your dog but ideally, you would ring the Council and make an appointment to meet a Compliance Officer at a suitable time and place.

Where do I pay? Payment can be made at one of our Council Offices in Taumarunui, Ohakune or Raetihi and remember to keep your receipt to prove payment before your dog can be microchipped.

Power to Enter Property

Can a Compliance Officer come onto my property and take my dog and impound him/her? Yes. This is provided for under the Act. This is often a sensitive topic. While all Compliance Officers are warranted to enforce this section of the Dog Control Act, and often do, we are always mindful that this is your private property and we always think long and hard about our options before deciding to enter and remove a dog(s) from a dog owner's property. When we decide to go down this channel of enforcement, it is always to provide community safety, abate a nuisance to surrounding community members, the welfare of a dog, or just non-compliance. Your privacy is important to us. The legislation is detailed below.

This in the relative piece of legislation that we follow:

Section 14 - Power of Entry

(1) Where any dog control officer has good cause to suspect that an offence against this Act or against any bylaw made under this Act is being committed on any land or premises, the dog control officer, and all persons he or she calls to his or her assistance, may enter at any reasonable time onto the land or premises

(a) to inspect any dog for the time being appearing to be kept on that land or premises or to inspect the conditions in which any such dog is kept; and

(b) if authorised under any other provision of this Act, to seize or take custody of any dog on the land or premises.

(2) Where any dog control officer has good cause to suspect that an offence against this Act or against any bylaw made under this Act has, at any time in the preceding 6 months, been committed in respect of any dog for the time being appearing to be kept on any land or premises, the dog control officer, and all persons he or she calls to his or her assistance, may enter at any reasonable time onto the land or premises

(a) to inspect any dog on the land or premises; and

(b) if authorised under any other provision of this Act, to seize or take custody of any dog on the land or premises.

Do I have to be home at the time? No, but we will leave a seizure notice informing you of the section we have removed your dog(s) and our contact details.

Why do I have to pay seizure fee for having my dog seized from my property when it wasn't out roaming? There are financial costs to every action that the Compliance Team embarks on. Costs must be met for an officer's time, fuel and vehicle costs to and from your property. Those costs must be met by you, the dog owner.