Subsidised Neutering Available for Menacing Dogs

17 February 2017

Nelson City Council is working with the Nelson SPCA to offer subsidised neutering and micro-chipping for menacing dogs.

The subsidy has been made available by the Dept. of Internal Affairs, as part of a national strategy to reduce the risk and harm of dog attacks.

Dogs can be classed as menacing if they are seen as, or are reported to be, posing a threat to people, stock, poultry, domestic animals or wildlife. There are also five breeds of dogs automatically classed as menacing - the Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and the Pit Bull type.

Nelson City Council Dog Control Policy requires all dogs classified as menacing to be neutered.

“Council is proactive in encouraging owners of known menacing dogs to comply with regulations,” said Group Manager Strategy and Environment Clare Barton. “We hope this programme will encourage owners of dogs that are not on our database to take advantage of the subsidy.”

“Cost is one of the main barriers to owners of high risk dogs registering and neutering their pets. We’re encouraging owners of dogs that fall in to the menacing category to take advantage of having their dog neutered at a substantially reduced cost to prevent unwanted breeding. In the long term this campaign will help to reduce the number of menacing dogs in the community.”

Eligible dogs will be neutered and micro-chipped at a nominated vet clinic at a cost of $25.

Dog owners who wish to take advantage of this offer should contact the Nelson SPCA to confirm eligibility of their dog for neutering and micro-chipping under the programme.

For more information visit Nelson City Council's Dog Owner Information web page.

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