Auckland Council is taking a firm stance against unregistered dogs, issuing over 5,500 infringement notices as a last resort after multiple attempts to encourage compliance.

The fines come as part of a broader initiative to tackle issues such as roaming dogs and dog attacks in the region.

Councillor Josephine Bartley, Chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, stressed that dog registration is not optional.

"This is the first time we’ve moved to last resort measures and issued infringement notices. Dog registration is a legal requirement designed to benefit both the community and pet owners," she explained.

The notices are targeted at dog owners who have failed to register their pets after receiving a pre-infringement reminder.

Auckland Council previously sent 22,929 notices in November, which led to a noticeable increase in registrations and more accurate data on the dog population.

The initiative aims to reduce the number of roaming dogs and prevent attacks, ensuring that pets are properly vaccinated, de-sexed, and contained on their owners’ properties.

Council staff have been working with owners to ensure compliance, with infringement notices now being sent to those who ignored the previous reminders.

"We appreciate those dog owners who responded to the pre-infringement notices and did the right thing by registering their dogs and paying the fee," said Councillor Bartley. "But for those who haven’t, this is the final warning."

The $300 fines reflect the council’s ongoing commitment to responsible dog ownership, as well as the need to ease the burden on ratepayers.

"Responsible dog ownership begins with dog registration. Ratepayers should not have to bear the cost of irresponsible dog owners who refuse to register their animals," she added.

Auckland Council’s Animal Management Manager, Elly Waitoa, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the positive response from many dog owners but reinforcing the need for continued compliance.

"The number of unregistered dogs has now reduced, which is a significant improvement. However, too many owners have still ignored their responsibilities. Our goal is for all dog owners to register their pets rather than face a fine."

The council is urging the remaining unregistered dog owners to act immediately to avoid penalties.

Pet registration is not only a legal requirement but a crucial part of maintaining a safe community.

For more information on dog registration and compliance, visit the Auckland Council website.

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