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Ngā kawenga ake a te rangatira o te kurī

Dog owners' obligations

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to know and comply with the laws concerning the management of your dog.

Register your dog

You need to:

  • register your dog for the first time before it turns three months
  • register your dog annually
  • let us know of any change of address or change of ownership of the dog within 14 days.

Other dog registration rules

Care for your dog

You have to:

  • keep your dog under control at all times
  • provide proper care and attention to your dog
  • provide sufficient kai, water and shelter to your dog
  • provide adequate exercise to your dog.

For more information, see the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

Control your dog

You have to:

  • keep your dog under control at all times
  • know and observe dog access rules on footpaths, playgrounds and shared driveways
  • know and observe rules on where dogs are allowed off leash
  • know and observe rules on where dogs are allowed on leash
  • know and observe rules on where dogs are prohibited
  • immediately remove and appropriately dispose of your dog's faeces
  • get a licence to keep multiple dogs on a premises
  • get uncontrolled dogs de-sexed.

Find places where you can walk your dog.

For more information, see:

Prevent nuisance and harm

You have to take all reasonable steps to ensure your dog does not:

  • cause a nuisance to any other person
  • injure, endanger, intimidate or otherwise cause distress to any person
  • injure, endanger or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal or protected wildlife
  • damage or endanger any property belonging to any other person.

For more information, see the Dog Control Act 1996.

Dog e-newsletter

For the latest information about owning a dog in Auckland, sign up for our dog e-newsletter.

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