Auckland Dog Owners Oppose Fee Hike

A dog owners group representing more than 600 dog owners in Auckland is opposing the proposed increase in dog registration fees to be voted on at the Council’s Works Committee tomorrow (18 February).

The increase will see the cost of registration of a neutered dog with owner licence increase from $30 to $38 (without licence from $50 to $62). A non-neutered dog with owner licence increases from $65 to $81 (without licence from $85 to $106). Working dogs registration increases from $30 to $38.

DOG (Dog Owners Group) President Dr Cathy Casey said today that such increases penalise responsible dog owners yet again,

“It seems to me that this is blatant revenue gathering at the expense or responsible dog owners and is yet another barrier that this anti-dog Council is putting up to restrict dog owning in this city. Lots of people on a low income derive a lot of pleasure from owning a dog and they will be the ones who are hardest hit.”

Dr Casey says that Council’s explanation for the increase - that it needs the extra revenue to employ another four animal control officers - does not compute.

“Council is talking about raking in another $534,550 through these increases, that’s a wee bit more than will pay for four dog wardens.”

She also disputes Council’s claim that the increase will mean that dog owners will “see enforcement of bylaws”

“The only enforcement of bylaws we have seen in Auckland over the past year has been where dog wardens have been leaping out of bushes to issue $200 to owners with their dogs off lead in parks. If animal control was going to have a blitz on unregistered dogs they might get a bit more sympathy from us. Why doesn’t the Council do a street by street survey and find out where all these unregistered dogs actually live and then get Animal Control to go and pounce on them for a change?”

Dr Casey is appealing to the Works Committee not to support the fee hike.

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