South Waikato District Council’s Animal Control team is responsible for ensuring that animals are looked after in a humane manner and are not menacing or a nuisance to the public.
For all animal control enquiries or complaints, please contact Animal Control on 07 885 0340 orinfo@southwaikato.govt.nz
(write to Animal Control)
Animal Complaints
local councils are responsible for managing animal control services within their jurisdiction. This includes responding to complaints about animals that may be causing a nuisance or posing a threat to public safety.
Examples of animal complaints may include barking dogs, stray or roaming animals, dogs off-leash in public areas, or incidents of dog attacks on people or other animals.
If you have a complaint about an animal, you should contact your local council's animal control unit. The council will investigate the complaint and take appropriate action if necessary.
In some cases, the council may issue a warning to the owner of the animal, or require them to take certain measures to address the issue. In more serious cases, the council may impound the animal, or take legal action against the owner.
It is important to note that if you are experiencing an emergency situation where an animal poses an immediate threat to public safety, you should contact the police or emergency services.
If you own an animal, it is important to be aware of your responsibilities as a pet owner. This includes keeping your animal under control and ensuring that it does not pose a threat to public safety or cause a nuisance to others.
It is also important to ensure that your animal is registered with your local council, and that you keep its registration details up to date.
Dog Registration
It is a legal requirement to register your dog with your local council. This helps to ensure that all dogs are identified and traceable, which is particularly important in the event that a dog goes missing. It also helps to ensure that all dogs in the community are vaccinated against diseases such as rabies, and are desexed to reduce the risk of unwanted litters.
Dog registration fees vary between councils and are based on factors such as the age and gender of the dog, as well as whether the dog is desexed or not. It is important to note that these fees are used to fund a range of services provided by the council, such as dog control and animal welfare programs.
To register your dog, you will need to provide your local council with some basic information about your pet, including its name, breed, age, gender, and desexing status. You will also need to provide proof of vaccination and desexing.
It is important to keep your dog's registration details up to date. If you move house or change your contact details, you will need to inform your local council so that they can update their records.
If you fail to register your dog, you may be liable for a fine. In some cases, your dog may also be impounded and you may be required to pay additional fees to have it released.
Registered dogs are required to wear a tag that displays their registration number. This tag must be worn at all times when the dog is in public places, as it helps to identify the dog and ensure that it is registered.
Dog Policies and Regulations
One of the most important regulations regarding dog ownership is the requirement to register your dog with your local council. This is a legal requirement and ensures that your dog is identified and traceable in the event that it goes missing. It also helps to ensure that all dogs in the community are vaccinated against diseases such as rabies and are desexed to reduce the risk of unwanted litters.
Another important regulation is the requirement to keep your dog under control at all times. This means that your dog must be on a leash in public places, and that it must be kept within a securely fenced property when at home. Dogs that are not under control can be dangerous to both people and other animals, and can cause significant damage to property.
Local councils also have policies regarding the management of dogs that have been deemed dangerous or aggressive. In some cases, these dogs may be required to wear a muzzle when in public places, and their owners may be required to take additional steps to ensure the safety of the public.
It is also important to note that some public areas, such as beaches and parks, may have specific dog access policies. For example, some beaches may only allow dogs during certain times of the day or year, while others may require dogs to be on a leash at all times. It is important to check the relevant policies before taking your dog to these areas.
Adopt a Dog
Adopting a dog is a rewarding experience that not only provides a loving home for a dog in need, but also brings joy and companionship to the adopter. Local councils in New Zealand often have a variety of dogs available for adoption, ranging in age, breed, and temperament.
To adopt a dog, you will need to contact your local council's animal control unit or animal shelter. They will be able to provide you with information on the dogs available for adoption and the adoption process.
When adopting a dog, it is important to consider your lifestyle and living situation to ensure that you can provide a suitable home for the dog. You should also consider the dog's needs, including its size, exercise requirements, and temperament.
Before adopting a dog, you will typically need to complete an adoption application and meet with the dog to ensure that it is a good match for you and your family. The adoption fee will also vary depending on the council and the dog's age, breed, and medical history.
Once you have adopted a dog, it is important to provide it with a safe and comfortable home, regular exercise, and proper veterinary care. You should also ensure that your dog is registered with your local council and wears a council registration tag at all times.
If you are unable to adopt a dog but still want to help, many local councils and animal shelters also offer volunteer opportunities or accept donations to support their animal welfare programs.
Stock / Other
Our Animal Control team will respond to almost anything associated with the control of animals, stock and bees. An immediate response will be actioned upon notification of roaming/wandering stock on district roads.
Many people keep animals, stock and bees in the District. In most cases, the keeping of animals, stock or bees does not cause a problem. The majority of owners are responsible and know how to ensure that their animals do not create a nuisance to other people.
However, in some situations, the presence of animals or bees can result in issues for others. The nuisance is usually the result of how animals are kept, the animal’s behaviour, the conditions or locations in which the animal is being cared for or as a result of the animal being brought into a public place. The nature of the problem is different in urban and rural areas.