Great Success With Dog Registrations

“The Kapiti Coast District Council has had great success with its dog registration programme this year with only 76 known unregistered dogs at this stage,” Mayor Jenny Rowan said today.

“That’s really great because the owners of registered dogs are generally responsible dog owners and registered dogs cause far fewer problems. Neutered dogs also tend to roam less and that cuts down the potential for problems.

“Dog registration’s an issue where Kapiti has been at the forefront over the years,” she said.

“And, while we’ve been very successful this year, it’s only fair for those of us who register our dogs the Animal Control Team put in the extra effort to get those last few dogs registered.”

Senior Animal Control Officer, Lee Ball, says Council records show there are 5880 dogs in the Kapiti District.

“Of those 5806 (98.74%) are registered and Council’s animal control team are taking action on the remaining 76 dogs (1.26%) whose owners have failed to register them.”

The owners of these dogs have received their registration notice, a reminder notice and recently an infringement fine of $300.00 for failing to register their dogs. “After all that’s it amazing some owners still haven’t complied.

“We’re visiting all these dog owners and we’ll seize and impound any unregistered dogs as we’re entitled to under Section 42 of the Dog Control Act. Where any dog is seized and removed from the property the owner will have to pay all outstanding registration, a seizure fee of $50.00 and microchipping costs of $35.00 before the dog can be returned.

“We know it’s sometimes difficult to pay for dog registrations in one go. But, if people come to us early and make arrangements to pay in instalments, we can accommodate that.

“If you have unregistered dogs, don’t just forget it and hope it will go away because we will catch up and the costs and consequences are far worse than they if you had paid on time.”

All dogs over the age of three months must be registered. The owners of new dogs pay a portion of the full registration fee and Kapiti Coast District Council supports the notion that neutered and spayed dogs cause less problems so it is much cheaper to register a de-sexed animal.

For any further information around dog registration matters or any other dog control matter call Council’s Customer Call Centre on 04 296 4700 or visit any Council office.

ENDS

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