Policies & Bylaws
The Council's Dog Policy 2009 aims to achieve a balance between the control of dogs and recognition of the health benefits of dog ownership. The Council aims to provide reasonable policies for dog owners and their pets while promoting a safe and healthy environment for the general public.
The Council's policy objectives are to:
- ensure owners comply with their legal obligations such as registering their dog and, if it toilets in a public place, picking up and disposing of its poo
- prevent potential danger minimising the risk of distress or nuisances to people and wildlife that dogs could cause
- promote responsible ownership - making sure all dogs receive proper care and attention, including food, water and shelter
- provide for the reasonable exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners
Bylaws
The Wellington Consolidated Bylaw 2008: Part 2 - Animals gives legal powers to enforce the Dog Policy 2009 and determines requirements for keeping dogs in a way that:
- protects the public from nuisance
- maintains and promotes public health and safety and the welfare of animals.
All the relevant bylaws are detailed in the policy including:
- Dog owners shall prevent their dogs from becoming a nuisance, injurious or hazardous to health, property or safety of any member of the public. A dog control officer may issue a notice stating conditions that must be met to ensure the nuisance is avoided.
- Owners must restrict diseased dogs or dogs on heat from being in any public place.
- Dog owners shall remove their dog's faeces from any public place or property and must not allow their dog's faeces to cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties
- Written permission is required to keep more than three dogs on a property.
Dog Control
Under Section 20 of the Dog Control Act 1996, owners are responsible for keeping their dog under control at all times. Failure to comply is an offence with a fine of up to $20,000 or an infringement fee of $300.
This means controlling dogs on private property within physical limits (fencing, kennels, indoors), or by command and on a lead in all public areas.
Dog Care
Under Section 54 of the Dog Control Act 1996, owners must ensure their dog receives proper care and attention. This means adequate food, water, shelter and exercise.
Failure to comply is an offence with a jail term of three months or an infringement fee of $5,000.
Related Links
Department Details:
Animal Control (Building Consents and Licensing Services)
