Importation of illegal dog-tracking devices to be prohibited
Thursday 23 February 2012, 10:59AM
By Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
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The importation of illegal dog-tracking devices will be prohibited from 1 March 2012 under changes to the existing regulations.
The government is clamping down on the illegal dog-tracking devices as they can dangerously interfere with radio transmission services used by people working in rural or remote areas, such as search and rescue crew. The devices are most often used by hunters to track their dogs in the bush.
The change to the regulation will mean that the New Zealand Customs Service may seize illegal devices at the border, says Chris Brennan, Compliance Manager for the Radio Spectrum Group at the Ministry of Economic Development.
“While possession and use of the illegal dog-tracking devices is already punishable by fines of up to $30,000 or prosecution and conviction, importers and hunters are continuing to take the risk. Under the new change to the regulation, people importing these illegal devices into the country may have them seized and potentially face prosecution,” he says.
“Not all dog-tracking devices are illegal, but we want to make sure that people are using ones that don’t dangerously interfere with those parts of the radio spectrum that are licensed to others. Anyone looking to import radio-transmitting equipment should first check whether it is acceptable in New Zealand and authorised for a radio licence.”
The dog-tracking devices to be avoided are sold under the Garmin and SportDOG TEK brands, however, all devices should be checked before purchase. Devices should not operate on the 151.820 MHz, 151.880 MHz, 151.940 MHz, 154.570 MHz and 154.600 MHz frequencies.
The new rule prohibiting importation is now included in the Radiocommunications Regulations (Prohibited Equipment – Dog Tracking Devices) Notice 2012 and comes into force on 1 March 2012.
The Ministry of Economic Development will be working closely with the New Zealand Customs Service to ensure that illegal radio-transmitting devices are not imported into the country.
For more information, go to the Radio Spectrum website, www.rsm.govt.nz, or call the free helpline 0508 RSM INFO ( 0508 776 463 ).