Dog registration - always make sure it’s valid
It doesn’t matter if your dog’s breed is menacing or not - make sure your registration is always valid!
Following the conclusion of the council’s menacing dog amnesty at the end of June, Auckland Council's hunt for unregistered menacing dogs has shifted into high-risk parts of south Auckland.
The dog control act had offered owners of menacing dogs across Auckland a waiver of fines, registration for 2016/17, de-sexing, microchipping and a muzzle for $25.
According to Auckland Council, the "menacing" breeds are:
- Brazilian Fila
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Perro de Presa Canario.
The “menacing” type is American Pit Bull Terrier (including American Staffordshire Terriers).
American Staffordshire Terriers are recognised as 'pit bull type' dogs, and are classified as menacing. The exception is where NZ Kennel Club papers can show four generations of American Staffordshire Terrier lineage.
Door to door check ups
Our friends at Stuff have reported that Animal Management officers have started to enter more risky areas, knocking on doors. This enforcement campaign began in Randwick Park.
Manager Animal Management Geoff Keber says the area has comparatively high number of requests for service, yet only three dogs were registered in the area - even with the amnesty offered. Keber adds:
"The risks in Randwick Park are higher due to the number of unregistered and wandering dogs, as well as the fact that pitbull terriers are the predominant type in the area.These are the dogs that are likely to cause serious harm to the public. One of our Animal Management officers was also recently assaulted in the area."
Aware of the risks and potential complications at hand, the enforcement campaign was conducted alongside the New Zealand Police and Housing New Zealand.
According to Keber, they visited 115 properties and registered nine dogs on site. Fourteen unregistered adult dogs were impounded, along with 10 puppies.
Along with the dogs, three residents were also arrested during the operation - they had warrants out for their arrest. Several others were deemed menacing themselves and received warnings because of their aggressive behaviour.
While difficult and dangerous at times, Keber and the Animal Management team recognise this enforcement campaign is an important part of reducing the harm done by menacing dogs.
Owners of seized menacing dogs have seven days to pay any relevant fees, de-sexing or registration costs before reclaiming their dogs. Dogs left unclaimed will be euthanised if they have been classified as menacing by breed or type (under the Dog Control Act) or dangerous by deed.
Unsure if your dog is a “menacing dog”? Is your dog registered? If you are unsure at all, give us a bell in store on
09 448 2227. Better safe than sorry during our goal of making Auckland safer for humans and dogs