Government Orders Review of Dog Control Act to Tackle Dangerous Dogs in NZ

The Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to crack down on roaming and uncontrolled dogs, following a number of horrific attacks.

New Zealanders are appalled by recent attacks by aggressive and out-of-control dogs. People are reporting that they are avoiding areas in their neighbourhood because they have been attacked or have reason to believe they will be, Mr Watts says.

Kiwis should be able to walk, run, or take their kids to the park without worrying about being harmed.

Dog owners must take responsibility and keep their animals under control to protect their families and visitors, as well as the wider public, wildlife and pets.

Reviewing the Dog Control Act We have heard clearly from Local Government New Zealand and councils that the Dog Control Act is outdated and is preventing them from doing their jobs effectively. This is putting unnecessary strain on resources and the wider system, Mr Watts says.

That’s why the Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to ensure the law empowers councils to keep communities safe.

While the scope of the review is still being considered, it will include looking at clauses which may be imposing barriers or resource pressure on councils, as well as penalties and consequences for non-compliant dog owners, desexing obligations, and stronger powers for council officers.

We are also updating enforcement guidelines so dog control officers have a consistent approach to their work, with clarity on how they should respond and what tools are available to them, Mr Watts says.

Alongside the review and updated guidelines, I have sent a letter to every council outlining my expectations around dog control and encouraging them to make full use of their powers.

Dog control issues are best managed locally and councils already have enforcement powers under the Dog Control Act.

As we review the Act, I want councils to be able to confidently say they are using every power available to tackle this issue.

The letter also reinforces that the Government wants to work alongside them as we review the Act and continue to update the dog control enforcement guidelines.

Other measures in the response While the review is underway, there are several measures in place to respond to dog attacks and support public safety.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the police will continue to work with local councils and to provide ongoing support to dog control officers where assistance is required.

Police have a role to play in dog control when council staff have safety concerns while dealing with dangerous and high-risk dogs. Police will accompany council staff where Police-only powers are required or there are significant safety risks.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says on public conservation land, DOC will step up monitoring in high-risk areas and expand its professional hunter response so incidents involving feral or uncontrolled dogs can be dealt with quickly.

This will focus on places where dogs pose a risk to people or vulnerable native wildlife, with DOC working closely with councils, iwi, landowners and communities to support early detection and coordinated action where problems arise, Mr Potaka says.

Earlier this week the Government announced a targeted $468,000 grant to the SPCA for dog desexing. The SPCA will contribute a further $700,000 bringing the total investment to almost $1.2 million.

Dog overpopulation is a significant problem and is often linked to irresponsible breeding. This grant funding supports a practical, preventative measure to help reduce the number of unwanted dogs, Mr Watts says.

The Government’s response is about backing councils to keep their communities safe and holding dog owners responsible for their animals.