Noah's animals not wanted within city limits

The animals can go in two by two in Manukau City, so long as you don't have more than 24 and none of them is a medium or large-sized mammal.

A new bylaw the Manukau City Council wants to bring in will control the number and type of pets its residents may own.

Under the bylaw, urbanites wanting a little bit of country in their backyards would be out of luck. Pet lambs, calves, horses, ponies, llamas, deer, donkeys, pigs and goats are now prohibited.

Cat lovers may have up to four, while residents can have up to six rabbits or ferrets. Alternatively, you can own a dozen of most types of birds, although large parrots are restricted to six per property.

Under the council's dogs policy a licence is needed to keep three or more dogs in an urban area.

Environment and Urban Design committee chairman Noel Burnside said the change would tidy up a historic bylaw about the number of animals people were allowed to keep in their backyards, and was intended to ensure pets did not create a nuisance or damage property.

"Residents can still be prosecuted for their animals causing a nuisance, even if they have fewer than the maximum number allowed, but this gives us a guideline to work to which is relevant for 2006 and beyond."

On the North Shore, people in urban areas can have two dogs, five cats and 12 birds, but no farm animals or roosters. People who already own ferrets, stoats and weasels can keep them, but cannot get another such pet if it dies.

Disgruntled animal lovers wanting to maintain their domestic menageries might want to consider moving into the central city.

While you need a permit to own more than one dog in Auckland City, you can have as many cats or canaries as you like, except for some parts of Great Barrier or Waiheke Island.

The city deals with any issues concerning animal control via a prevention of nuisance bylaw, with Waitakere City Council maintaining a similar stance.

* The proposed bylaw will be available for public consultation from mid-April.


Pet limits
* Cats: 4.
* Rabbits: 6.
* Ferrets: 6.
* Roosters: 0.
* Small caged birds, eg budgies, finches: 12.
* Large caged birds, eg cockatoos, macaws: 12.
* Pigeons: 12.
* Doves: 12.
* Chickens: 12.
* Ducks: 12.
* Geese: 12.
* Pheasants: 12.
* Swans: 12.
* Peacocks/peahens: 12.
* Maximum number of pets: 24.

Not permitted. Horses, ponies, llamas, cattle, deer, donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, roosters.