Hastings District Council has stepped up its game with regard to dog control and re-homing policies.
One of the most positive steps was that any dog found wandering, which had not been impounded in the past two years, was returned without any cost to its owner - provided there was a current phone number listed.
Last month 86 dogs were handled by staff - 34 were returned to their owners without being taken in, 48 were impounded and four relinquished due to serious behavioural issues.
Of those 52 impounded, 21 were reclaimed and 10 adopted out.
Fourteen were euthanased, four of which were dangerous; one court ordered after it attacked a person, and the other nine were found unsuitable for homing.
Pound manager John Payne, a long-time animal control officer and former Tauranga City Council regulatory manager, was engaged to independently review Hastings' animal control service last year and was then appointed to a one-year "change management" position to implement the report's recommendations.
"We want to make it friendly enough for people to come through, so it is a suitable place to find a pet," he said.
"The adoption cost is $250, that weeds out the people who can't afford to own a dog.
It includes registration, microchip, vet checks, they are also given a flea treatment."
HDC approved plans to fast-track a $400,000 upgrade of the pound, which began at the end of May.
