3 June 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Dogs and animal control in Rotorua
Enquiry
I have been working on a story about dogs in Rotorua for some time now, and your team has been very helpful in providing thorough answers to my questions.
There are some additional questions I want to put to you for response:
- Has the cost of dog registrations gone up in the past two years? If yes, how often and by how much each time?
- How is the policy of having no dogs in the Rotorua CBD monitored and/or enforced?
- What is the consequence of walking a dog in the CBD? If this is a fine, how much would the fee be?
- How many dogs has Rotorua Lakes Council’s Animal Control team rehomed in the last year?
- How many dogs has the Animal Control team put down in the last year?
- How long has the "No Dogs in the CBD" policy been in place? What was the policy intended for and why was it first put in place?
- What comment does Council have about the effectiveness of this policy?
Response
The following information was provided:
Impounded dog data over past year (31 May 2020 – 31 May 2021):
- 135 rehomed
- 690 returned to owner
- 268 euthanized (Note: All euthanasia is undertaken by a qualified veterinarian. Reasons for euthanasia may include; unsuitable for rehoming due to temperament, Court issued destruction order, surrendered to Council following an attack, health conditions, or unable to rehome within a reasonable timeframe. Where appropriate the Animal Control team works very hard to rehome dogs and this includes reaching out to other dog rescues and shelters for assistance when time and capacity are stretched).
The following can be attributed to Rotorua Lakes Council’s, Team Lead Animal Control, Dylan Wright:
Has the cost of dog registrations gone up in the past two years? If yes, how often and by how much each time?
Due to COVID-19, there was no increase in dog registration fees last year (2020/2021 year).
There has been an increase for the 2021/2022 year. Registration for a standard urban dog has increased from $92 to $105, and registration for a standard rural dog has increased from $63 to $75.
Registration fees can be reduced for a number of reasons such as having a dog de-sexed, holding the Selected Dog Ownership status, or through pensioner rates.
The cost of dog registration can change year to year and any change is approved by Council.
What is the consequence of walking a dog in the CBD? If this is a fine, how much would the fee be?
A $300 infringement notice may be issued to the dog owner.
How is the policy of having no dogs in the Rotorua CBD monitored and/or enforced?
Note: we have previously responded to this question.
Previous response: Signage is in place throughout the CBD and Council’s Animal Control team responds to reports of, and observed, dogs in the CBD. Dogs in the CBD are also picked up on Council’s CCTV network.
How long has the "No Dogs in the CBD" policy been in place? What was the policy intended for and why was it first put in place?
The prohibition of dogs from the CBD is part of Council’s Dog Control Bylaw 2005. This aspect of the bylaw was first introduced in late 1980s in response to Council receiving complaints about aggressive dogs in the CBD and dog faeces being left in the streets. Prohibiting dogs from the CBD was a way to mitigate these issues.
The bylaw was last reviewed in 2012 and will be next reviewed in 2022.
What comment does Council have about the effectiveness of this policy?
We consider this aspect of the bylaw to be effective. Dog-related incidents in the CBD are uncommon. We do see a small number of people walking their dogs in the CBD, however the majority of these people are from out of town and once advised of the bylaw, are generally happy to use nearby parks and reserves outside of the CBD.