Dog Safety
Encouraging safety around dogs
Good behaviour begins with dog owners. Any breed of dog can bite if it is hurt, frightened or teased - even the friendliest dog.
A dog's owner is the biggest factor in determining a dog's personality. A dog will be more likely to bite or attack if its owner encourages aggressive behaviour or abuses it. But there are many factors that can cause even a nice dog to bite. It may feel threatened, be sick, or sense that something is wrong.
Dogs must be under the control of their owners at all times. Check out our map below to see areas where dogs can be exercised off a leash. In other areas dogs may be prohibited or required to be on a leash at all times.
As a dog owner you have important responsibilities to:
- Keep other people safe around your dog
- Avoid situations where your dog could annoy, rush, frighten or injure someone or another animal
- Care for your dog.
Children and dogs
Most dog related injuries happen to children, in their own home or the home of a relative or a friend and by a dog that they know.
When a dog is around, small children should be supervised at all times because:
- They can unwittingly provoke an attack, for example by trying to take a bone away from a dog
- Hugging or kissing dogs may overexcite the dog, causing them to jump on or chase a child
- Dogs may try to dominate a child because of a child's small size.
Children should be taught basic safety habits around dogs, with parents and caregivers showing the way.
Menacing dogs and breeds
The following breeds/crossbreeds of dogs are classified as menacing and cannot be imported into New Zealand:
- Brazilian Fila
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Presa Canario
Any dog can also be classified as menacing by deed regardless of its breed, where the dog has been proven to be a risk to the public, other animals or protected wildlife.
Menacing dogs:
- Must be microchipped (as with any dog)
- Must be neutered within one month of being classified as a menacing dog
- Wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash in public places.
American Pitbull Terrier/American Staffordshire Terrier information
The American Pitbull Terrier is a type of dog that is listed in Schedule 4 of the Dog Control Act 1996 and classified as a Menacing Dog under section 33C in 2003.
The American Pitbull Terrier has some ambiguity, as it is recognised as a type of dog and not a breed by the New Zealand Kennel Club. Due to this there are no recognised breed standards. It is also accepted the Pitbull is made up of several different breeds including bulldogs and English Staffordshire terriers.
Due to the inability to differentiate between the two, the American Staffordshire terrier is seen as a Pitbull type and attracts the same effects and restrictions.
The exception is where NZ Kennel Club papers can show four generations of American Staffordshire Terrier lineage.
Please note that we do not accept genetic tests as proof of breed or type of dog.
Should the above effects not be complied with, the owners of the dog may face action being taken against them. In the case of the wearing of muzzles and microchips, Infringement Notices may be served. In the case of the dog not being de-sexed, Animal Control staff may seize and impound the dog until such time the owner complies.
Animal Control officers may under the provisions of section 33EC of the Act enter onto the owner's property for the purpose of seizing the dog.
