Inquiry clears council of inflating dog fees

Council chief executive Miriam Taris said it engaged audit, tax and advisory service KPMG to begin an independent review of the amount being charged in dog registration fees

Allegations the Western Bay of Plenty District Council siphoned millions of dollars from excessive dog registration fees have been quashed.

An investigation into the anonymous allegations found no suspicious or dubious dealings with money handled by the council for regular dog fees.

The council launched the investigation after it learned of an anonymous email suggesting about $2 million was accrued through inflated dog registration charges.

Council chief executive Miriam Taris said it engaged audit, tax and advisory service KPMG to begin an independent review of the amount being charged in dog registration fees and the application of those funds by the council.

"KPMG's findings give the council no cause for concern that its dog registration fees are either unreasonable or that there has been any misapplication of money received by it," Ms Taris said.

"Council is satisfied that it is complying with the requirements of the Dog Control Act, and that the allegations made against it in the anonymous email are without foundation."

The council would make no further comment.