Dogs
Animal Control Officers | Dog Pound | Policy and Practices Annual Report | Dog Registration Information | Answers to Common Questions
Our Animal Control Officers are responsible for requirements pertaining primarily to dogs and stock. They also deal with complaints in respect of most types of animals. Their goal is the lessening of animal nuisances through the promotion of responsible ownership and the enforcement of relevant legislation and bylaws.
The dog pound is situated at the Horowhenua District Council depot entrance at 169 Mako Mako Road, Levin.
The pound is open to the public on Monday to Friday, 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm to 4pm.
At a meeting of Council held on 5 August 2009, Council adopted this report as required by Section 10A of the Dog Control Act 1996. The report contains information and statistics on Horowhenua District Council’s dog control activity for the year 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.
A copy of the report can be viewed below or at our office in Levin, 126 Oxford Street Levin. If you would like a copy sent to you please contact Council.
Dog Control Policy and Practices Annual Report 2008/09 (PDF, 25 KB)
The registration year runs from July 1 to June 30 the following year.
All applications for re-registrations should be made by June 30, however payment can be received until July 31. Registration fee payments not made by 31st July annually will incurr a 50% late fee penalty payment.
If someone is caught with an unregistered dog there is an instant fine, plus a penalty fee to register the dog. The owner of the dog has 28 days to pay the fine. A reminder notice is then sent and a further 28 days is given. If no payment is made, court action will be taken. Payment by installment can be arranged through the Council, but the penalty registration fee still has to be paid in full.
To register your dog contact Council.
Why Do You Need to Register Your Dog?
It allows us to keep an up-to-date register of dogs, which is also a legal requirement. This helps in controlling dogs and actioning complaints.
It allows us to locate dog owners when a dog is impounded or injured.
Dog Microchip Information
What is a "microchip"?
A microchip carries a number unique to your dog. This is very similar to a supermarket barcode reader. A microchip is a transponder, which means it responds to a scanner. It is not a transmitter and has no power source.
The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. The procedure is as simple as a vaccination.
Which dogs are required by law to be micro-chipped?
- Dogs that have been classified as dangerous or menacing by Counci
- Dogs impounded unregistered before they are released
- Dogs being registered for the very first time after 1 July 2006, excluding those dogs that are used solely or principally for stock control purposes on a stock farm
- All registered dogs released from Council's Pound, if impounded for the second time
If my dog is not listed above, can I still get it microchipped?
Yes, there are many dogs already microchipped by caring owners. Many exotic or expensive animals are microchipped all over the world. Talk to your local Veterinarian.
What are the benefits of micro-chipping?
If your dog is lost, stolen or has escaped or strayed, it can easily be identified. If your dog is stolen, there is nowhere in New Zealand where it cannot be traced if it is scanned. Every dog that is the subject of a complaint or is impounded will be scanned.
Once my dog is microchipped, will I have to register it?
Microchipping will not replace dog registration. You will still have to register your dog every year.
Answers to common questions are available below.
Answers to Common Questions (PDF, 29 KB)