Dog registration costs to increase

Friday, 11 February 2011

The cost to register your dog in the Southland District is being increased to $25, effective from July 1 2011. Group Manager Environment and Community Bruce Halligan said the cost was going up from its current $20 to $25 for several reasons, including

  • Council's Animal Control section is receiving increasing numbers of dog control matters to respond to
  • In response to this, the Animal Control Officer has become a full time role, whereas previously this was a 50/50 split between animal control and resource management compliance
  • Council needs to provide funding for upgraded pound facilities, so as to enable greater capacity and security
  • The costs of the free microchipping programme have increased and the registration fee increase will assist with the ongoing provision of this service for owners of registered dogs. (Microchipping of all dogs over 3 months old is now compulsory under the Dog Control Act)
  • Council has engaged an additional ranger to assist with coverage and response times within the District

The recommendation to increase the fee was not made lightly, but was in recognition of these factors. At $25, and an additional $12.50 for late payment after 1 August 2011, the fee is still one of the lowest in New Zealand.

 "It is important that Council can provide a timely and thorough response on dog control matters, as situations such as dangerous dogs can represent a physical threat to both persons and livestock," Mr Halligan said.

 The Southland District Council administers more than 11% of the land area of New Zealand and has more than 13,000 registered dogs.

Who to contact

If you would like to discuss a matter on this page, feel free to contact us:

Southland District Council
P.O. Box 903
Invercargill 9840
Phone: 0800 732 732
Fax: 0800 732 329
emailsdc@southlanddc.govt.nz