Frequently Asked Questions

The Dog Control Policy and Bylaw are due for routine review to ensure it is fit for purpose. It is good practice to engage with the community to check it is meeting their requirements. The Dog Control Act 1996 also requires the Special Consultative Procedure be used when creating or amending a Dog Control Policy and Bylaw.

Most of the proposed changes are minor and administrative in nature. The one change of significance is the changes to Menacing Dogs classification and how Council proposes to approach menacing dogs going forward.  The below bullet-points highlight the changes being proposed. You can see the full Council Report here if you would like further information?  

•  Micro-chipping – clarified that dog owners are required to register their dog’s micro-chip on the National Dog Database and noted other databases that is used by vets and rescue organisations to help track lost pets.
• Dog Control Areas – addition of temporary closure as a result of Rahui to achieve environmental aims to the list of reasons for areas which may be closed to dogs at Council's discretion. This is implicit in the existing policy and is now made explicit.
• Releasing dogs – during business hours by prior arrangement. The Animal Control Facility is not manned 24/7. Therefore, the wording of the policy needs clarification that owners can collect their dogs during business hours.
• Releasing dogs – Clarification of wording around an Officer being satisfied by appropriate evidence that the dog has a medical condition that requires an early release. This is in response to situations where owners request a dog to be released in order for an owner to administer medicine to the dog. 
• Enforcement – Necessary enforcement action is to ensure the safety of the community generally and to penalise and deter irresponsible dog ownership. This wording addition provides further clarification around staff’s ability to issue infringement notices. Staff at present do not issue infringement notices to owners who do not provide water, food and shelter to their dogs, despite the legislation allowing for this. This inclusion reminds staff they have the power to do this. An appendix has also been added of the schedule of Infringement Offences under the Dog Control Act. 
•  Menacing Dogs – The definition of menacing dogs and the obligations that Council said it would impose on them are currently not well aligned between Council’s Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw. There were also some inaccuracies between breeds and types as they are listed in the Dog Control Act 1996. Council has rewritten the Menacing Dogs section of both the Policy and Bylaw. These sections now specify menacing dogs as either by breed or type, or by behaviour.
  • If the dog is classified as menacing by breed or type, it is recommended to keep the same high level of obligations that currently exist in the bylaw. 
  • If the dog is classified as menacing by behaviour, then it is recommended Council takes a pragmatic approach to the circumstances. Each reported complaint should be assessed on is merits and any obligations placed upon a dog owners will be assessed by the Animal Control Team to be the minimum required to be satisfied that dog no longer poses a threat to the community.
  • It is also recommended Council introduces an application process for a dog owner to request the menacing dog classification be removed if they can show evidence they have not received any infringements in the preceding 12 months, they have complied with all obligations imposed on them and they would otherwise meet the criteria of being classified as a Responsible Dog Owner. The removal of the classification would always be at Council’s discretion. 

Council wants to address some inconsistencies between the Policy and the Bylaw with the Menacing Dogs Classification and how it is applied. Currently, the Bylaw takes an approach that all obligations under the menacing dogs section will be applied if the dog is given that classification. The proposed changes seek to allow the Animal Control team to use more discretion when applying obligations upon a dog owner, depending on the severity and nature of the reported behaviours. The intent is to impose only those obligations Animal Control believe are necessary to protect the safety of the community.     

No. Existing systems for Dog Control will remain and nothing will materially change with this expenditure. Any changes to expenditure is expected to be negligible. 

If possible, the best approach is to always talk in a proactive manner with your neighbours. If you are unable to do so, or this has not resolved the issue then you can email us at service@icc.govt.nz or contact us on (03) 211 1777 or complete an online request  Dog complaints | Invercargill City Council (icc.govt.nz) 

The easiest way is to use the survey link that can be found at  letstalk.icc.govt.nz/dog-control-policy. Alternatively, you can mail in a submission form or drop one off to the ICC Civic Administration Building in Esk Street, the Public Library or the Bluff Service Centre. You can also email the Strategy and Policy Team at policy@icc.govt.nz

Post:       Submission – Dog Control Policy                                

                Invercargill City Council

                Private Bag 90104

                Invercargill 9840

Hearings are currently set down for 9 August 2022. While the opportunity to speak to your submission as part of this process is not legally required, Councillors are interested in hearing from you, if you would like to share your views orally.