Dog owners have an obligation to register all their dogs over the age of three months by 1 July each year. The registration year runs from 1 July to 30 June the following year. The full fee must be paid by 1 August when penalties will come in to effect.
Failure to register your dog could result in an infringement fine of $300 and/or court fine of up to $3,000 under the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003. There is no registration charge for Seeing Eye Dogs and Hearing Ear Dogs.
For registration fees 2004/2005, please click here . You are welcome to pay by cheque made payable to the South Waikato District Council (click here for postal details) or by cash at the counter of the Council offices in Putaruru and Tokoroa.
If you move house within the District, you need to notify the Council in writing. If you move to another District, you need to notify the South Waikato District Council and the council for the District you are moving to. Registration tags are easily swapped between different Districts. Failure to advise local authorities in writing of change of address and registration details can result in a court fine of up to $500.00 under the provisions of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003.
Selected Owners Policy
In an effort to encourage people to take really good care of their dogs and be highly responsible dog owners, the Council has a Selected Owner Policy. Council regards this policy as a privilege and not a right. As a result, the fees for this category are substantially lower than the normal standard fee.
A number of criteria apply:
- You are required to apply on the standard form available from the South Waikato District Council Office.
- You are required to make an appointment with the Animal Control Officer to sit a written test.
- You are required to have a suitably fenced property.
- You must have had no validated complaints regarding your dog(s) for the 12 months prior to your application. (ie, no barking, aggression or wandering complaints, or impounding)
- You must not have had a prosecution for a dog-related offence for the 24-month period prior to your application.
- Your dog registration fees must be paid in full prior to the 1st August each year.
- You will be asked to sign a declaration form stating that you understand and agree to comply with these criteria.
A registered pig-hunter will not lose his SOP status, should his/her dog(s) be impounded after being caught in the CHH forests during the prescribed hunting season. However, normal retrieval fees would be required. Failing to comply with any of the above may result in your Selected Owner Policy licence being revoked.
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