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Dog amnesty seekers flood council in last days
28 June, 2016
Amnesty seekers flood council in last days
Auckland Council staff have been flooded with last minute applications for the Menacing Dogs Amnesty that is set to expire on 30 June.
“We’re currently fielding hundreds of applications a day and the total number of dogs has topped 1,000,” says Geoff Keber, Manager - Animal Management.
“People are getting in quick because they know we will not be extending or repeating the offer after Thursday,” he says.
Dog owners are reporting that the amnesty is easy to understand and apply for and say they are relieved that their dog is now “legal” and they won’t be fined or have the dog taken off them.
Owners of unregistered dogs classified under the Dog Control Act 1996 as “menacing” qualify for the amnesty, which offers a waiver of fines, free registration for 2016/17, de-sexing, microchipping and a muzzle for just $25. The Auckland-wide amnesty expires on 30 June and animal control officers will begin seizing unregistered menacing dogs from 1 July.
“We are serious about reducing dog-related harm in our city. We’ve had a fantastic response so far to our very generous amnesty and I urge dog owners to sign up even in the last few hours because it will not be extended or offered again,” says Councillor Penrose, Chair of Auckland Council’s Bylaws and Regulatory Committee.
Mr Keber says that as long as the owners have registered for the amnesty they will be covered, even if they have not yet had time to schedule de-sexing operations.
More information about the Menacing Dogs Amnesty is available from Auckland Council on 0800 462 685.
From 1 July, the council’s Animal Management Officers will be actively searching for and seizing unregistered menacing dogs that are not compliant with the Dog Control Act.
Owners of seized dogs will have seven days to pay any relevant fines, fees, de-sexing or registration costs before reclaiming their dogs. Dogs left unclaimed after seven days will be euthanised if they have been classified as menacing by breed or type (under the Dog Control Act) or dangerous by deed.
ENDS
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