Dog owner obligations

Dog owners are required to keep their dogs under effective control at all times when in public places.

The owner or person in charge of a dog in a public place must:

• Be aware of where the dog is and what it is doing.
• Ensure the dog is responsive to commands.
• Ensure it is not creating a nuisance.

Explanation: When a dog is under effective control, it means the dog is not creating any sort of nuisance to people, domestic animals or any other wildlife. Nuisance in this sense means things such as barking, rushing at, intimidating, attacking or otherwise causing injury, damage or harm.

Going for a walk with your dog unrestrained (not on a leash) is fine in areas where there are no dog restrictions. However, the dog must still be under effective control. This means you can see the dog or you are aware of what it is doing, and you are close enough to prevent issues or quickly bring it to heel Having your dog under effective control is as much about the safety of your dog as it is about the safety of others.

The Dog Control Act requires all dog owners to carry a leash when taking their dog into a public place, whether or not the public place is a leashed area (section 54A).  This is because unexpected situations may arise that require a dog to be leashed to keep the dog under control or to keep it safe. 

Another requirement that is set out in the Dog Control Act is that the legal owner of a dog must be over the age of 16 (section 2). The owner or person in charge of a dog in a public place should also be physically capable of controlling the dog.

The person in charge of a dog must carry the means of picking up and removing any fouling (dog faeces) when in a public place, for example, plastic bags. 

Plastic bags are an ideal way of picking up and removing dog faeces and must be carried at all times when in public places with a dog.

Dog toileting habits can be unpredictable and this requirement will prevent owners from being caught short. It is no longer an excuse to say you do not have any plastic bags with you.

The person in charge of a dog must remove any fouling (dog faeces) that their dog produces and dispose of it in a hygienic manner, such as a red wheelie bin or Council rubbish bin. The requirement to remove dog faeces applies not only to public places but also to land that is not the dog owner's land.

Dog faeces can harbour diseases and parasitic infections that can make other dogs or people unwell. It is also generally unpleasant and smelly. 

Christchurch has a high proportion of dogs per capita, and it is important that dog owners take responsibility for their own dogs so that dogs can continue to enjoy access to a wide range of public places.  

All dogs in New Zealand must be registered.

Councils are responsible for dog registration administration and fee-setting. The registration fees are set through the Council’s annual plan process.

Dog registration fees fund the Council’s dog control activities. We have different categories of dog registration, including standard, Responsible Dog Owner, spayed/neutered, working dog, rural working dog, and dogs classified as dangerous.

Disability Assist Dogs need to be registered but do not incur a fee.

Responsible Dog Owner status is a special dog ownership status that recognises good, responsible dog owners and entitles them to a reduced annual dog registration fee. Dog owners eligible to be classified as a Responsible Dog Owner must have:

• A record of good and responsible dog ownership.
• Consistent and timely payment of dog registration fees.
• A history of compliance with relevant legal requirements.

For more information, see section 4 of the Dog Control Policy, including more details about the criteria for Responsible Dog Owner status.

All dogs, except working dogs,  must be microchipped, and the microchip number must be supplied to the Council.

For more information, see Section 5 of the Dog Control Policy.

The Council is supportive of food businesses allowing dogs in their outdoor dining areas, provided the business complies with all regulatory requirements.

As with all public places, dogs must be under effective control at all times. It is up to each individual business to decide if they want to welcome dogs, and if so, to manage any issues that may arise.

Disability assist dogs are allowed in all customer areas of all food businesses in accordance with section 75(1) of the Dog Control Act 1996.

New Zealand's way of regulating food has changed under the Food Act 2014, which allows food businesses to identify, mitigate and manage the risks that are specific to their business. Through this regime, food businesses are able to indicate in their Food Control Plans whether they wish to allow dogs in their outdoor dining areas, and, if so, how they will manage any food safety risks that this may cause.

This means that each food business can decide whether or not to allow dogs into their outdoor dining (or other) areas, and what conditions to impose on dogs and their owners.

The Council encourages dog owners to use reflective, fluro or other lighting attached to dog collars or harnesses to help track dogs when exercising them at dusk when visibility is low,  or in the evening, particularly in the darker winter months.

It is safer for everyone if people can see their own and other dogs when out and about, particularly on unlit shared pathways. Lighting your dog is a great way to keep track of them at night, especially if they are off-leash exercising at dusk or in the early evening.

It also allows other public place users to see your dog, preventing any unwelcome surprises or accidents.

The Council is concerned about the health and welfare of dogs that are left in vehicles during the summer months.

The Police and SPCA  take a strong stance on dogs suffering in hot cars and will act swiftly to release dogs clearly in distress. The Council's Dog Control Officers may assist the Police or SPCA to release a dog that is in distress. 

Cars can quickly turn into ovens during summer and also heat up surprisingly quickly on cloudy days.

Dogs keep cool by panting and by releasing heat through their paws, but without fresh air, the air and upholstery in your vehicle can heat up to high temperatures which makes it impossible for dogs to regulate their temperatures and cool themselves.

Dogs, particularly small dogs, can suffer heat exhaustion quickly if left in a hot environment. Slightly winding windows down is not adequate on a hot day when a car is in full sun. Your dog will be more comfortable if left at home.

If your dog shows symptoms of heatstroke:

• Immediately move the dog to a cool, shady place.
• Allow the dog to drink some cool water.
• Wet the dog with cool water.
• Fan it vigorously to promote evaporation to cool the dog's blood, which will reduce its core temperature.
• Take the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible for further treatment. Veterinarians may apply supportive measures such as intravenous fluids to rehydrate the animal, and oxygen to prevent brain damage.

The SPCA has the power to protect all animals from abuse, neglect and abandonment, including prosecuting people under the Animal Welfare Act 1999(external link). Dog owners who leave their dogs in a hot car can face a charge of animal cruelty.

Dogs may not be welcome or may need to be on a leash at Council events and festivals, at the discretion of event organisers and promoters.

This is not the same as dogs being prohibited or required to be on a leash through the Council's bylaw but may be as a condition of entry to an event, or it may be good advice offered by event organisers and promoters.

Events may be held in places where dogs are prohibited, such as in the Botanic Gardens,  or where dogs must be on a leash.  Check the requirements before you leave home.

It may not be appropriate for dogs to be at a Council event due to the expected visitor numbers, the nature of the event or for other reasons, such as planned fireworks.

Where dogs are welcome at an event or festival, you should consider whether or not it is appropriate to take your dog into a crowded situation, based on your understanding of your dog's temperament and history.