1 June 2006

Registration renewals to be sent to city's dog owners this week

Packs are being sent out this week to all Auckland city dog owners asking them to renew their dog's registration. The packs contain a user-friendly application form, information about Auckland City's dog bylaws and a flyer explaining the government's new microchipping law.

Dog owners are required under the Dog Control Act 1996 to register dogs over the age of three months. This enables Auckland City to ensure safety in the community, fund educational visits to the city's schools and to return a dog to its owner if it is found wandering.

All dogs must be registered by 31 July. All registration forms received by this date will go into the draw to receive one of five $200 Westfield shopping vouchers. Owners who register their dogs after this date will be charged a late fee. If the dog remains unregistered, owners could be liable for a $300 fine.

To renew a dog's registration, owners should fill in both sides of the "Application to register your dog" form and return to Auckland City using the envelope provided. Once the application has been processed (this will take approximately two weeks), the council will send a receipt and the dog's new registration tag to the dog's owner.

Up to three dogs can be registered on one application form. If owners have four dogs or more, they will be sent two or more registration packs. A permit is required to keep more than one dog on the Auckland isthmus. On Waiheke and Great Barrier islands, owners need a permit for more than two dogs.

Owners can become eligible for reduced registration fees if they: * de-sex their dog * complete the relevant training and hold a dog-owner license.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dogs for more information about de-sexing dogs and obtaining a dog-owner license.

Auckland City's dog registration fees have not changed for the past two years. The fees are as follows:

Standard fee Late fee Class A Dog neutered. Owner holds a dog-owner licence $38 $57 Class B Dog neutered. No dog-owner licence $62 $93 Class C Dog not neutered. Owner holds a dog-owner licence $81 $121.50 Class D Dog not neutered. No dog-owner licence $106 $159 Class E Special-purpose dog NIL NIL Class F Working dog $38 $57 Class G Dangerous dog Under section 32(1)(e) of the Dog Control Act 1996, owners of dangerous dogs must pay 150 per cent of the standard dog owner registration fee.

As well as the usual payment methods, owners can pay their dog registration online by visiting www.aucklandcity.govt.nz and clicking on the "pay this year's dog rego online" button.

To find how much their dog's registration will cost, owners can use the registration calculator on the website or phone Auckland City on (09) 379 2020.

ENDS

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