Council targets 'free ride' dog owners

Dog registration fees have risen this year. Photo / File

Auckland Council intends to target dog owners who take a "free ride" at the expense of other dog owners when it comes to registering their animals.

Dog registration fees have risen this year.

However fees would be cheaper if dog owners re-register their dogs during the "earlybird period" ending July 31.

Dog registration fees will increase by just $1 for most classes of registration, by $2 for the mid-range of fees and by up to $3 for the highest range of services.

"We reward responsible dog owners, people who de-sex their dogs and special service dogs, who are much less likely to be the cause of nuisance or dog attack callouts," Auckland Council's bylaws and regulatory committee chair councillor Calum Penrose said.

He said this year the council would target the bottom 10 per cent who "take a free ride at the expense of other dog owners".

"Dog registration is a user-pays service and fees cover the entire cost of keeping Aucklanders safe from dog-related nuisance and harm.

"None of that comes out of rates. Every dog owner who doesn't pay their share is leaving it to others to pay for their dogs," he said.

Mr Penrose said dog registration fees contributed to areas of animal management, including a 24-hour a day response to dog attacks, beach and park patrols, animal shelters and adoptions and reuniting lost dogs with owners.

They also contributed to dog safety initiatives such as the Menacing Dogs Amnesty, which saw more than 450 menacing dogs register for de-sexing, microchipping and muzzles.

This is available to menacing dogs, particularly American pit bull terriers, which are not registered for the 2015/16 year.

If the dog is registered before July 1, the council will waive the registration fee for the 2016/17 year.

Dog owners will also be able to get their dogs de-sexed, microchipped and muzzled for $25.

The Menacing Dogs Amnesty expires on 30 June, 2016.

From July 1, animal management officers would actively search for and seize unregistered dogs that pose a risk to public safety.

Dog owners will be fined $300 if they fail to register their dogs by August 31.

Registration fees

Standard

If paid by August 1: $139

If paid after August 1: $171

Responsible Dog Owner Licence holder with de-sexed dog

If paid by August 1: $62

If paid after August 1: $131

Responsible Dog Owner Licence holder with entire dog

If paid by August 1: $72

If paid after August 1: $171

Desexed dog (no Responsible Dog Owner Licence held)

If paid by August 1: $100

If paid after August 1: $131

SuperGold Community Services combo card holder

If paid by August 1: $62

If paid after August 1: $78

Special category dog

If paid by August 1: Nil

If paid after August 1: Nil

Working dog

If paid by August 1: $32

If paid after August 1: $39

Classified dangerous dog

150 per cent of applicable fee