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Unregistered Dogs In Marlborough Liable To Be Seized And Impounded

Friday 2 September 2011, 5:29PM

By Marlborough District Council

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MARLBOROUGH

Hundreds of dogs living in Marlborough have not been registered and their owners all face the prospect of stiff fines.

Animal Control officers have begun visiting properties to look for those dogs that were not re-registered by the end of July deadline.

This year 679 dogs are listed as unregistered. The law requires dog owners to advise Animal Control in cases where the dog has died or if the animal has left the district. These cases usually account for a very small percentage of the unregistered animals.

Last year at this time there were only 450 unregistered animals on the books.

“Maybe it’s the sign of the economic times. Maybe there are more people who aren’t aware of their responsibilities. Whatever it is, it makes a lot of time-consuming work for our officers,” said Animal Control Team Leader Candice O’Brien.

The last day for registration was July 31. Penalty fees now apply on top of the dog registration fee. Owners are also liable for an infringement fee of $300 for failing to register a dog, impounding fees of $102, plus seizure and sustenance costs.

“If we come to the property and find the dog, then we will impound it. Impounding fees and infringement fees will apply. However, owners with unregistered dogs can avoid these hefty fees by visiting Animal Control now and registering their dogs immediately.”

Candice says animal control officers have no powers of waiver: if unregistered dogs are seized, fines will be imposed.

Generally speaking, responsible dog owners don’t put their animals at risk of being seized and placed in the public pound, said Candice.

“It’s the unregistered animals that take up most of our time; they’re the ones we’re picking up for roaming, causing a nuisance or attacking other people and animals.”

Marlborough’s dog registration fees remain some of the lowest in the country.
Yet, currently, $70,907 of unpaid fees and fines are owed by a total of 481 owners in Marlborough.

The law requires that:

  • All puppies once they reach the age of three months must be registered
  • If the animal’s owner is under 16 years old, the dog must be registered in the name of a parent or guardian who then becomes legally responsible for the animal
  • This requirement applies to anyone who owns a dog, or has a dog in their possession, for more than 72 hours.

 

In Marlborough, dog registration fees, and not rates, meet the cost of the running of Animal Control in Marlborough.

Animal Control is responsible for:

  • checking properties where dogs are kept and ensuring dogs are receiving proper care and attention and not being left to suffer
  • ensuring dogs don’t become a nuisance to the community
  • patrolling public areas to ensure dogs are not creating a risk by attacking other animals or people
  • returning lost dogs to their owners.

 

Animal Control also runs an education programme through the primary schools and ‘bite prevention’ seminars in workplaces.

Contact: Animal Control Phone 520 9033