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Council Services

Dogs/Animal control

Council provides animal control services for the community, specifically for dogs, livestock and poultry.

The main role that the Council becomes involved in is that of dog control. This can be in the form of advice and assistance, dog registrations, complaints and problem behaviours.

A few things to remember when you first purchase your dog: The first thing is that your dog must
be registered by the time it is three months old. All dogs registered from 1 July 2006 are also
required to be microchipped.

Upper Hutt is a great place to own a dog, there are many dog friendly areas to walk and exercise
your dog. It is important though to keep your dog under control when its on and off its lead, as
other people, including young children use the same parks, some of whom may be nervous around dogs. If you do not think that you can control your dog off the lead, in other words, if your dog does not come to you when you call, it is always safer to keep your dog on its lead.

You must take care around any dog, as all dogs can bite. By keeping your dog under control you
can prevent any problems occurring. Taking your dog to obedience classes can help, but if you find that your dog is displaying problem behaviour, you can contact a dog behavioural specialist to assist you in trying to solve these issues.

Scroll down or use the links below to find information about:
		Registering your dog
		Responsible dog owner status
		Fees and payment (Internet banking)
		Impounded dogs/rehoming (3)
		Common complaints
		Dog Control Policy / Bylaw / Annual Report on Dog Control Policy and Practices
		Frequently asked questions

Registering your dog

Your dog must be registered by the time it is three months old. Dog registration is then due for renewal by 1 July each year. If you register on time, you will be charged at a discounted rate.

To register your dog, you can come into the Council building at Upper Hutt, or if you wish to pay via the internet, please refer to the fees and payment information below.

The dog register is kept to help us and you as it provides us with contact information, which can help us and you if your dog goes missing.

The register is also used to keep a record of any dog incidents, including attacks, for us to help keep Upper Hutt a safe place to live.

Application Form
	Annual Dog Registration Form - 2012 to 2013 (380Kb)

Applying to have more than two dogs on a property

If you live in an urban area with a property less than 1,000m2, you are able to own up to two dogs on your property. If you wish to have more than two dogs on your property, you must apply to Council requesting approval for this.

Once your application has been received, the Animal Control Officers will contact your neighbours for their consent. The application is forwarded to the Director of Environmental Services with the neighbour consent forms.

If you have not had previous complaints against your current dogs, and if your neighbours agree, approval should be given. If your application is declined, you will have a right of appeal to a Council hearing who will make the final decision on the application.

Application Form
	Permit to keep more than two dogs on an urban property (PDF, 101K)

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Responsible dog owner status

Reduced registration fees are available to those dog owners who meet the responsible owner status criteria. These criteria are:

You can demonstrate good control over your dog when an Animal Control Officer inspects your property

You keep your dog(s) securely contained within your property and allow people access to a door of your residence without encountering the dog(s) or

You have signs erected on or near the front entrance of your property alerting to the presence of my dog(s)

You register your dog(s) by 1 August of each year

You have not been issued an infringement notice or you have not had your dog(s) impounded more than once within the last 12 months

To apply, complete the responsible owner application form and send it in to us. We will then contact you to arrange a visit.

Applications can be made throughout the year however inspections will only be carried out between 1 February and 31 May each year.

You will be sent a letter confirming receipt of your application. An Animal Control Officer will contact you during the inspection period to arrange a suitable time to visit your property.

If you are renting a property where the dog is being kept, a letter from your landlord allowing you to keep the dog on that property is required.

Click here to view frequently asked questions about responsible dog owner status.

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Fees and payment (Internet banking)

Registration fees vary and are based on whether you live rurally or within urban surroundings, whether your dog has been neutered, if you have been given responsible owner status, and if you have a dog that is classified as a menacing breed. To see what fee you will have to pay, refer to the Schedule of fees and charges (dog fees).

If you are a new dog owner, you may be eligible for a pro-rata rate, depending on when your dog needs to be registered by. Please contact us to find out how much it will cost you to register your dog if part way through the dog registration year.

Dog tags are issued after we have received your completed registration form and payment. You can also scan and email your completed form to askus@uhcc.govt.

Internet Banking
If you would like to pay your dog registration fee via telephone banking, please type DG before your Account Id Number to enable us to enter the fee against your account. Please sign, date and return your registration form to:

Upper Hutt City Council
838-842 Fergusson Drive
Private Bag 907
Upper Hutt 5140

Click here for more information about making a payment to Council using telephone banking.

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Impounded dogs

Payment of impounding and other fees should be made at the Council building during office hours. Arrangements will then be made for the return of your dog. Please phone the Animal Control Office on (04) 527-2169 during office hours.

There are currently two impounded dogs.

Click on the images to view larger

	I.D 12MAY11 Description: This female Bearded Collie was found in Black Beech Street on Sunday 12 May 2013. It will be kept in the pound until 4:00pm on 20 May 2013 unless claimed by its owner before that date.

	I.D 12MAY09 Description: This dog was found in Wilford Street on Saturday 11 May 2013. It will be kept in the pound until 4:00pm on 22 May 2013 unless claimed by its owner before that date.

	I.D 12MAY15 Description: This dog was found in Te Marua at the entrance to the Ridge Track on Saturday 11 May 2013. It will be kept in the pound until 4:00pm on 27 May 2013 unless claimed by its owner before that date.

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Common complaints

Barking:
All dogs bark, however some do become more persistent and constant than others. If you have a problem with persistent barking please contact us.

There may be different reasons why some dogs bark, and the following are a list of common barking reasons.

Alert or warning
Fear
Attention seeking
Play or excitement
Boredom
Lonely or anxious

Some of these barking issues can be dealt with, and if recurrent a dog behaviourist specialist may be able to help. Alternatively a Bark Collar may be the answer. If you have concerns regarding your dog’s behaviour please contact us and we can offer you advice.

Rush at/dog attacks:
As much as we would like to think all dogs are under control, there are occasions where a dog will attack or rush at people. Keeping your dog confined within your section and/or allowing free access to your front door can help avoid such situations. Warning signs are also a good idea to warn people that a dog is within your property. A “rush at” involves a dog who is not under control.

If you are the victim of an attack please contact us. These attacks are taken very seriously and it is part of the Animal Control Officer’s role to investigate all dog attacks, whether they are “rush at’s” or bites.

Microchipping:
All dogs first registered after 1 July 2006 are required by law to be microchipped. You do not have to have your dog microchipped before you get your dog registered, however once you have had your dog ‘chipped, please bring in the microchip number to us so we can get it noted in your dog registration records. This information will also be forwarded to the National Dog Database. This database holds all registration information on your dog, and even if you move cities, the information recorded will remain lodged against your dog.

In case you were wondering what benefit that microchipping has for your dog, since the introduction of microchips, it has been much easier to reunite owners with their dogs if the dog has managed to stray. Dogs are able to slip their collars with tags on, but the microchip stays with the dog. The process is fairly quick and does no harm to the dog. Please talk to either us or your local vet if you wish to have more information on microchipping.

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Dog Control Policy / Annual Report On Dog Control Policy and Practises

	Dog Control Policy (227Kb)
	Annual Dog Control Activity Report 2010/11 (108K)
	View the Dog Control Bylaw (July 2011) on our Bylaws page

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Frequently asked questions

Q	My dog has died, am I able to get a refund on my dog registration fees?
A	Yes you can. Refund request forms are available from the cashier’s desk, Level 2 Civic Administration Building Upper Hutt City Council, 838 Fergusson Drive Upper Hutt, or you can contact Animal Control on 527 2169 and a form will be posted out to you. Your refund will be deposited directly into your bank account, so verification of your account is also required. Please provide Council with a death certificate if you have taken your dog to your vet, as well as your dog tag. The refund will be a pro rata amount which is calculated on what month of the registration year your dog died.

Q	How can I apply for Responsible Owner Status and what does it mean?
A	Responsible Owner status replaced Special Owner status and was approved by Council in June 2011. The intent behind the change to the classification is to provide a better way to protect dog owners and other people from dogs who have in the past got out of their property and been able to roam, or been able to rush at or attack people visiting their property. Dog owners who were already registered as Special Owners were automatically given Responsible Owner status when the new policy was introduced. The change affects all new dog owners to Upper Hutt. As a new owner you are required to write into Animal Control at Upper Hutt City Council requesting a property inspection by an Animal Control Officer. Prior to the inspection, dog owners need to ensure the following is in place: the property allows dog free access to a door of your residence and/or you have signs erected near the front entrance alerting people to the presence of dogs; you register your dog by 1 August every year; you have not been issued with an infringement or had your dog impounded more than once within the last 12 months. If your dog is impounded more than once or you receive an infringement within a twelve month period you will have your responsible owner status revoked. After 12 months you may reapply for responsible owner status so long as your dog does not get impounded again or you receive an infringement.

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