Dangerous and Menacing Dog Information

Response:

Subject: Official Information Request - Dangerous and Menacing Dog Information

I refer to your Official Information request of 7 October 2026, for information regarding Dangerous and Menacing Dog Information.

Question:

When you are investigating an alleged attack on another animal or dog, do you always impound the alleged (dog) perpetrator, or are investigations undertaken before the dog is impounded? For example, are dogs impounded immediately or do you interview the alleged perpetrator’s owner before deciding to impound?

Answer:

When a dog attack is reported, an investigation is initiated based on the circumstances of the incident. Evidence is gathered from witnesses, victims, and dog owners, which include photographs, video recordings, and written statements. Once a dog has been identified as the potential offending animal, it may be impounded if it is located or its address is known. A DNA swab is then collected and submitted for testing to confirm whether the dog matches the evidence obtained during the investigation.

Question:

What is the longest time you have ever had a dog impounded while awaiting prosecution?

Answer:

Currently our longest impound is from the 20 September 2025.

Question:

Please provide the animal control manuals/policies/procedures/attack packs used by your staff to choose what course of action should be taken against a dog owner for their dog’s behaviour. For example, I would like to know how the council determines whether a dog should be classified as menacing, or dangerous, or a prosecution undertaken.

Answer:

Council has information contained within its website for a previous LGOIMA response published that answers some of the above questions. Dog Control Information - Rotorua Lakes Council

Council follows section 31 in regard to Dangerous dog classification and section 33A in regard to Menacing dog classifications as per Dog Control Act 1996 - New Zealand Legislation

Question:

Do you have any ‘Dog Exercise Areas’ as per s20(1)(d) of the Dog Control Act 1996?

Answer:

Yes. Please find information contained on Councils’ website regarding Dog Exercise Dog Exercise Areas - Rotorua Lakes Council

Question:

Do you have any ‘Dog Exercise Areas’ in your district where dogs classified as ‘dangerous’ are allowed to run off-lead and muzzled?

Answer:

Yes. Dogs classified as Dangerous are allowed to run off lead but must remain muzzled within designated Dog exercise areas.

Question:

Are muzzled dogs classified as ‘menacing’ able to be exercised in any of your ‘Dog Exercise Areas’ as above?

Answer:

Yes. Dogs classified as Menacing are allowed to run off lead but must remain muzzled within designated Dog exercise areas.

Please note - In designated dog exercise areas, dogs may be exercised off leash. However, owners are still required to keep their dogs under control at all times. Council's policy states that "a dog owner [must] always keep their dog under control", and section 52(1) of the Dog Control Act 1996 provides that "The owner of any dog shall keep that dog under control at all times. As published on Councils’ Dog Exercise Areas page:

Council provides several areas where you can exercise your dog off the lead, but you must still be able to control it as if it were on a lead. If you can control your dog with a whistle, you may exercise it off a lead.

Questions relating to the most recent year.

Question:

The number of effective full-time Animal Control/Management Officers in your district.

Answer:

Question:

The number of dogs registered for the most recent year.

Answer:

8,754

Question:

The number of dogs impounded for the most recent year.

Answer:

22

Question:

The number of dogs classified as dangerous ‘by deed’ for the most recent year.

Answer:

6

Question:

The number of dogs classified as dangerous ‘by breed’ for the most recent year.

Answer:

Dangerous dogs are not classified dangerous for their breed.

Question:

The number of dogs classified as menacing for the most recent year.

Answer:

380

Question:

The number of dog owners who objected formally to the Council’s classification of their dog/s for the most recent year.

Answer:

9

Question:

The number of owners who have been disqualified for the most recent year.

Answer:

6

Question:

The number of owners who have been made probationary for the most recent year.

Answer:

0

Question:

The number of prosecutions undertaken for the most recent year.

Answer:

8

Question:

How many dog safety/community education training programs were run, where were they run, and what was the duration and subject matter of the program/session. For example, “10 programs/sessions in schools, and 3 in the general community, each of 3 hrs duration, topics were human safety around dangerous dogs, and dog welfare?” for the most recent year.

Answer:

1 at a community probation centre.

Question:

In total, how many participants attended community training programs/sessions in that full year?

Answer:

20

Question:

Provide the records & outcomes of decisions made over the last two years, when dog owners have objected to the Council’s classification of their dogs or the dog owner themselves for the most recent year.

Answer:

Information containing outcomes for Dog control hearings is available on Councils website Agendas, Minutes & Presentations - Rotorua Lakes Council. Select the Meeting type “Dog Control Panel” tab, select the “All Months” tab and then the year you are wanting the information on and click on “Show”