MEDIA RELEASE

11 March 2004

Increased costs see a rise in fees

Auckland City Council’s Combined Committee yesterday approved an increase in the fees for dog registration. The fee increase results directly from increased animal control contract costs.

The contractor has maintained the price for the past six years, however has advised the council that the price will now increase.

Issues such as public feedback on monitoring and service level inadequacies mean that the contractor will need to provide staffing over a longer working window, a full weekend and public holiday service and a more proactive education component. Additionally, the number of dog control officers is increasing.

This approach aims to ensure people feel safer around dogs, reduce the risk of dog nuisance, attacks and unpleasant experiences.

The council has a 60 per cent private benefit, 40 per cent public benefit policy for funding animal control. The increased contract price will therefore require an increase in fees to maintain the funding balance.

The new fees will come into force from the registration year commencing 1 July 2004 and are as follows:

Dog Type Current Fee New Fee
A Neutered with dog-owner licence $30.00 $38.00
B Neutered without dog-owner licence $50.00 $62.00
C Unneutered with dog-owner licence $65.00 $81.00
D Unneutered without dog-owner licence $85.00 $106.00
E Special purpose dog Nil Nil
F Working dogs $30.00 $38.00

Ends

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