Time to register your dog

Taupō District Council is encouraging dog owners to register their dogs as quickly as possible or face a fine. There are more than 500 properties in the District believed to be home to unregistered dogs. Between now and November, Council staff are visiting the properties to remind dog owners of their responsibility.

There are 6,243 known dogs in the District and all need to be registered. Each June, Council mails dog owners forms to register their dog. Registrations were due on 1 July and reminders were sent out again on 31 July. Most dog owners have already registered their dogs, and Council staff would like to thank them for their prompt action. However, some owners are still yet to register their dogs.

Council staff are visiting properties unregistered dogs are believed to live. All dog owners who have not registered their dog will be given an infringement notice. However, this is not payment of the registration – dogs will still have to be registered on top of the fine.

There will be follow up visits for those who do not comply and further infringement notices issued. Unregistered dogs can eventually be removed from properties and impounded.

Council staff encourage dog owners to register their pets before action is taken. The registering of dogs is important for the safety of the community. It also benefits the owner – a lost dog that is registered can be traced back to its owner quickly.