Media Release

Amnesty Offered To Dog Owners

Manukau City Council is offering an amnesty to dog owners who want to give up their unwanted pets.

Between 16 and 27 July people can relinquish their dog for free to Manukau City Council, instead of the normal $15 charge. The council's contractor DSS Animal Management will attempt to find suitable dogs new homes, but some may have to be put down.

Environment and Urban Design Committee Chairman Noel Burnside says the amnesty is aimed at owners who decide they can no longer afford to keep their pet or have a dangerous dog they no longer want.

"Some of these dogs may not be registered or known to the council but there won't be any repercussions for the owner.

"The amnesty gives people who decide they can't afford registration the opportunity to give up their dog. Some people decide not to pay registration and end up facing a late registration fee of $120 and a fine of $300.

"We'll continue to encourage registration because it is very affordable, about the same cost as six weeks of food for an average dog," Cr Burnside says.

People who become a responsible dog owner will pay only $45 for registration fee. The standard registration fee is $90.

Any dog regardless of breed or classification as dangerous or menacing can be handed in during this period for no charges, fines or legal action.

The amnesty does not apply if the owner claims it when a dog control officer is visiting to respond to a complaint. The dog can be handed over or relinquished, but appropriate action will be taken if the complaint is substantiated.

Manukau City Council has a strict approach towards unregistered dogs. This is because they are over-represented in attacks on both people and other animals.

This focus on unregistered dogs has been successful in helping reduce the number of dog attack complaints from 514 in 1999 to 257 in 2005/06.

How to hand over your dog

* Call Manukau City Council on 2625104 and say you would like to hand over a dog under the amnesty programme. An animal control officer will contact the owner to arrange pick up. The owner WILL be required to sign a form to allow the officer to remove the dog /s under the amnesty

* Take the dog to the Manukau and Papakura Animal Shelter at 33 McLaughlins Road, Wiri on any day of the amnesty between 11.30am and 2.30pm. The owner will be required to sign a relinquish form

*If you see an animal control officer in the street, ask the officer to remove the dog under the amnesty. Once again the owner will be required to sign a relinquish form and the dog/s will be removed at no cost.

ENDS

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