Information and statistics on Councils Dog Control activities for the year 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
1. Dog Control in the South Wairarapa
The district is situated in the southern part of Wairarapa and the south eastern most part of the North Island. It covers an area of 2484 square kilometres. It is mainly a rural area, although it contains three small towns, Featherston, Martinborough and Greytown.
Council employs two full time Bylaw Officers who are responsible for carrying out day to day dog control activities. These officers provide 24 hour 7 days per-week coverage as required.
Council works with local veterinarians, the SPCA and the Police, when carrying out its functions. It is of community concern that SPCA emergency welfare coverage is still only is available from Wellington and Manawatu SPCA offices.
Council continues to make significant effort to follow up unregistered dogs and dogs required to be microchipped.
2. Dog Registration and Other Fees
The registration fees for dogs were set and publicly notified at the beginning of June 2015 for this financial year.
Base 2016/17 registration fees are $95.00 for urban dogs and $64.00 for rural dogs. All fees have a component to cover the National Dog Database costs. Owners on rural properties pay a flat fee for the first 10 dogs registered and $20 per dog thereafter on the property.
A reduced fee is available for owners of neutered dogs, as Council considers that this aides our dog control work by improving dog behaviour in relation to roaming, aggression, and increased concentration.
2.1 Control of Dogs Policy and Bylaw
The Policy and Bylaw were adopted by Council on 19 September 2013.
2.2 General
Dog barking collars are available to dog owners who own a dog with a barking problem, but especially for dog owners against whom complaints have been lodged regarding a persistent barking issue. The collars have been effective and Council and complainants are pleased with the results.
Dog faeces bags and sanitizer are now available at a nominal cost to encourage dog owners to “do the right thing” and reduce fouling in public places.
2.3 Property Visits
Property inspections are completed as a part of complaint investigations and when tracking down unregistered dogs or owners who fail to meet their obligations.
2.4 Education
Officers use every opportunity to inform and educate the public about responsible dog ownership when situations arise. School education programs have continued this year modeled on the Christchurch dog smart programme. Radio advertising campaigns are used over dog registration time in June and July to remind owner’s that registration is due. Radio dog safety campaigns are also undertaken at this time.
3. Dogs Prohibited, Leash Only and Dog Exercises Areas
Council’s Bylaw sets out the areas which are “Dog Prohibited”, “Leash Only” and “Dog Exercise Areas”.
All three townships now have areas set aside to enable owners to exercise and socialise their dogs.
All off leash areas have free dog faeces bags available and suitable disposal bins. Many favourable comments by owner users of these areas have been made.
4. Complaints Commentary
Number of complaints received.
|
Complaints |
Numbers | |
|---|---|---|
|
2015/16 |
2014/15 | |
|
Barking / Whining |
41 |
27 |
|
Aggressive behaviour / Rushing |
16 |
17 |
|
Wandering/fouling |
189 |
74 |
|
Attack on Person |
6 |
8 |
|
Attack on stock |
5 |
11 |
|
Attack on Pet |
10 |
8 |
|
Welfare concerns |
11 |
5 |
|
Found dogs |
1 |
25 |
|
Lost dogs |
57 |
36 |
5. Dog Registration, Enforcement and Service Request Statistics for South Wairarapa District Council
|
Dog Registration, Enforcement and Service Request Statistics |
Numbers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
2015/16 |
2014/15 | ||
|
Number of dog owners |
1672 |
1653 | |
|
Number of probationary owners |
0 |
0 | |
|
Number of disqualified owners |
0 |
0 | |
|
Number of registered dogs |
2905 |
2894 | |
|
Number of rural dogs |
1898 |
1849 | |
|
Number of urban dogs |
1007 |
998 | |
|
Number of dogs classified as dangerous under Section 31 |
1 |
1 | |
|
Clause 1(a) due to owner conviction |
1 |
0 | |
|
Clause 1(b) due to sworn evidence |
0 |
1 | |
|
Clause 1(c) due to owner admittance |
0 |
0 | |
|
Number of dogs classified as menacing |
24 |
24 | |
|
Dogs classified as menacing under Section 33A (Section 33A 1(b) – the territorial authority considers the dog may pose a threat to any person, stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife). |
| ||
|
13 |
14 | ||
|
Dogs classified as menacing under Section 33C (Section 33C (1) – the territorial authority has reasonable grounds to believe that the dog belongs wholly or predominantly to one or more breeds or types listed in Schedule 4 of the amendment Act 2004). |
| ||
|
11 |
10 | ||
|
Infringement notices issued |
154 |
94 | |
|
Failing to register |
118 |
66 | |
|
Failure to keep dog controlled or confined |
2 |
8 | |
|
Failure to keep dog under control |
6 |
5 | |
|
Failure to implant microchip transponder |
27 |
14 | |
|
Failure to comply with the effect of dangerous classification |
0 |
0 | |
|
Failure to comply with the effect of menacing classification |
0 |
0 | |
|
Failure to carry a leash |
0 |
0 | |
|
Failure to comply with Bylaw |
1 |
0 | |
|
Failure to undertake owner education programme or dog obedience course (or both) |
0 |
1 |
