Dog registration fees in the Whakatāne District will increase slightly for the 2020/21 year, which starts on 1 July. While the fees remained the same for the past three years, an increase in operational costs means the Council can no longer hold fees at their current level.
The decision was made to increase registration fees by $8 per dog at an Extraordinary Council meeting on 19 May 2020, as was the decision to increase the euthanasia fee for dogs surrendered by owners from $30 to $85. The new euthanasia fee is more reflective of the actual costs incurred, and is aligned with other local agencies that provide the service.
Reporting to the Council, Planning and Infrastructure General Manager David Bewley said the Dog Control Act 1996 required proposed dog control fees to be advertised at least one month before the start of the registration year.
“That means dog control fees must be adopted earlier than the other fees and charges included in the Council’s draft Annual Plan,” he said.
The 2020/21 registration fee for a de-sexed (neutered) dog or a working dog is $58, provided payment is made on or before Friday, 31 July 2020, or $83 if paid after this date. The fee for registering an entire (unneutered) dog is $83, increasing to $124.50 if paid after 31 July. Certified disability assist dogs and dogs used by Government agencies for specific purposes (such as law enforcement or biosecurity) are free of charge. For dogs under 12 months old, a proportion of the applicable fee will be charged. A reminder that all dogs over three months old must be registered.
Impounding fees remain unchanged at $60 for a first impounding; $90 for a second impounding; and $120 for a third and subsequent impounding. Additional charges apply for dogfood and after-hours impoundment after 5 pm and before 8 am each day.
Registration fee invoices have been posted to known dog owners. All dogs are legally required to be registered and failure to do so is an offence under the Dog Control Act.
For more information about animal control, including dog registration fees, visit whakatane.govt.nz/services/animal-control.
