Owners of Unregistered Dog Urged to Avoid Looming Infringements

Almost half of all Ruapehu dog owners are still to register their dogs with Council although the deadline for penalties being imposed is only a week and a half away.

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Team Leader Compliance, Brenda Ralph, said that Council is concerned about the large number of dog owners that have still not yet re-registered their dogs at this late stage.

“Council records show that 583 dog owners out of a total of 1,267 (46%) still need to register their dogs before infringements for non-registration start on Friday 1st August,” she said.

“These owners are responsible for 1,386 dogs out of the 4,583 dogs (30%) on Council’s database.”

“Technically all dogs should have been registered by the end of June; however, Council always gives dog owners until the end of July to register their dogs before any penalties are imposed.”

“Unfortunately, despite the extra month’s leeway it seems that every year we have around the same number of owners who need to be chased along to re-register their dogs.”

Mrs Ralph noted that dog owners are responsible for ensuring that they keep council advised of any changes to their dog ownership status such as if a dog has died, they get a new dog, the dog has a new home, or they have changed address, etc.”

“Unfortunately it seems that every year there are a core group of owners that do not register their dogs by due date.”

“It is disappointing to still have this level of non-compliance despite writing to each and every dog owner on the database and advertising the registration period widely.”

Mrs Ralph added that every council in New Zealand works to the same timetable for dog registrations which is the same year-after-year so any long term dog owner is well aware of the registration requirements.

“From mid-August Council Compliance Officers will start following up each and every dog owner that is shown as having an unregistered dog including undertaking site visits to their residence if required,” she said.

“Any dog owner with an unregistered dog is liable for the yearly registration fee plus a late penalty fee with an additional infringement of $300 per dog if the dog remains unregistered.”

“Council is also empowered to seize unregistered dogs.”

Mrs Ralph said that all Ruapehu dog owners who already have a registered dog would have received their re-registration papers in the mail some time ago.

“Any dog owner who has an unregistered dog or has not yet received their re-registration papers and invoice should contact their local council office as soon as possible,” she said.

ENDS

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