Tough line, now a penalty

The City Council’s tough line over unregistered dogs has seen their number reduce by almost half.


About a month ago the Council estimated that about 1,200 dogs, or 16 percent of Palmerston North’s dog population, were unregistered.


So before a $300 infringement notice was issued it gave their owners one final chance to pay up together with a 50 percent penalty.


Head of Environmental Protection Services, Wayne Jameson, says the campaign was successful with 446 dogs registered and another 116 declared dead or transferred out of town.


Now the Council is focusing on the 638 dogs that should have been registered by July 31 last year and are still in the city.


The infringement notices will be delivered later this month and, if they’re not paid within 28 days, then the infringement will be placed in the hands of the Courts where additional fees will be incurred.


“There are legal requirements for dogs to be registered and it’s the most accurate way for the Council to know about the dog population in the city,” Wayne Jameson says.


“Chasing unpaid registrations ties up staff who could be more productively employed patrolling the streets and monitoring dog behaviour. We have run out of patience and now it’s time to act.”