Council issues final warning over renewal of dog registration

The Invercargill City Council is warning the owners of hundreds of unregistered dogs to register them this week, or face penalties and fines.

Environmental Health Manager Debbie Fortuin said in excess of six hundred dogs living in Invercargill and Bluff had still not had their registration renewed, despite the final date for dog registration falling three and a half months ago at the end of July.  There are 7,690 dogs in the Invercargill City District.

“On Friday last week final reminders were sent to owners of more than 600 unrenewed dog registrations, giving them seven days to renew registration of the animals or face a 25% penalty.  The penalty applies from this Friday.

“The dog renewal registration fee pays for the city’s Animal Control Service, which administers the Dog Control Act on behalf of government, protects the community from stray dogs and provides education for dog owners,” she said.

Ms Fortuin said that in coming weeks Animal Control Officers would begin door knocking on the premises of unregistered dogs.  Those people found with unregistered animals would incur a $300 fine, on top of the outstanding registration renewal fee.

“It could be that some of the dogs that have not been registered have changed their address, or the animal has died.  In that case the owners need to inform Council so we can amend their records.

Ms Fortuin said dog owners should also be aware that Council is currently reviewing its Dog Control Policy.

The Draft Policy outlines the responsibility of dog owners and Council’s regulatory response to non-compliance and complaints.

Proposed changes in the Draft Policy include the requirement for people who complain about a barking dog to provide more information to ensure the validity of the complaint.  This is to determine whether the dog is barking excessively or whether the complainant is intolerant to a dog barking at all.

Other changes include:

• Expanding de-sexing, to allow Council to subsidise de-sexing in cases where Council requires it for behavioural or breed reasons, or because of proven financial hardship;

• Inclusion of Microchipping requirements;

• An outline of Transfer of Ownership requirements;

• Introduction of a Dog Return Fee, which allows for an identifiable wandering dog to be returned home without impoundment, providing the owners is home to receive the animal; and

• Council’s delegation authority for staff.

Ms Fortuin said that Council was also discussing redevelopment of the city’s aging pound facility, which was necessary if Council wanted to de-sex and re-home unwanted animals.

For information about the renewal of dog registration or other dog related inquiries, contact the Animal Control Officers on 2111-777.