Call to scrap dog registration

A Maungatapu dog owner is calling for dog registration fees to be scrapped as he believes responsible dog owners receive nothing in return for paying a $78 annual fee.

Tauranga City Council's deadline for renewing dog registrations at a discounted fee of $78 for the 2014/2015 year is July 31.

Michael O'Neill with his eight-year-old female Shih Tzu.

From August 1-June 30, 2015, owners pay is $109 to make their pooch legal for the year.

But Maungatapu resident and 2014 TECT Trustee candidate Michael O'Neill says TCC's Animal Services should be funded by fining bad dogs and their owners – not from 'good owners paying registration fees”.

'I absolutely think dog registrations are unfair burden on dog owners because what does dog owners get out of them? Nothing,” says Michael, who owns an eight-year-old female Shih Tzu.

'We have a little, we lap dog, which is incredibly obedient, just follows us everywhere, and has never been in any trouble.

'So it's sort of like what do we get out of it for our $78 registration? The answer is nothing – other than a plastic tag and ever-decreasing places to exercise our pets in the area we live.

'We work at the Mount and pretty much everywhere we want to take her for walks we're not allowed to go; we want to go round the boardwalk - not allowed, the beach - not allowed.”

Michael says even if a registered dog is housed at the city pound, the owner still has to pay to retrieve it.

'So there's no subsidy for being registered.”

He estimates about 11,000 dogs are registered with city council, which at $78 each (the early bird fee) equates to about $850,000 income for TCC a year.

'I know this money goes into animal services, but animal services include all animals – so it's dog owners paying for all animals.

'Because there's an act for dog registration, councils can quite legally levy a charge on dog owners, but they can't put a charge on owners of cats – because there's no ‘Cat Act'.”

Michael says this is unfair, considering the user-pays philosophy councils have moved to since the 1980s – and TCC should abandon dog registrations and fund its animal services team from infringement notices.

'At the moment, we're ultimately paying for those who don't look after their dogs well.

'So all the good people, who do register their dogs, are probably not the ones committing offences.

Michael says TCC has 28 infringement fees ranging from $100, for failing to advise a change of address, to $750.

'If the offences are being committed by unregistered dogs, then there is an abundance for the council to fund animal services.”

TCC's Animal Services team says it provides a range of services to ensure dogs, their owners, and the general public are able to share the city and be safe.

'The services include things such as: managing the registration process; operating the pound; education programmes; investigating dog attacks and complaints; and managing prosecutions.

'Legally, dog registration fees can only be used in relation to dog control matters. Other animal services activities such as cat or stock control are separately funded from rates or by invoicing stock owners where applicable.”

Dog registration and pound release fees are set by council. Infringement fines for breaching the Dog Control Act 1996, such as failing to register a dog, are set by Government.

Impound fees range from $40 for a first offence to $150 for a third offence (plus food costs).

'Fees for unregistered dogs are higher. The income from dog registration for the year ending June 30, 2014, was approximately $650,000,” says the animal services team.

'This total reflects the fact that not all fees are for the full year and some registered dogs are exempt from fees; for example, guide dogs.”

More information on animal services can be found on TCC's website.

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30 comments

Agree

Posted on 27-06-2014 10:33 | By spikey

I totally agree with Mike's comments as responsible Dog owners we get no benefits , if your dog is micro-chipped rego SHOULD be scrapped. So come on all responsible owners lets get up the Council !!!


Quite right

Posted on 27-06-2014 10:41 | By Astoreth

Dog registration was introduced to battle hydatits, which was a major threat to our lamb and mutton industry. Hydatits has now been wiped out, but the requirement to register dogs remains as the law has been changed over the years to keep local bodies gravy trains flowing.


Agree with you Michael

Posted on 27-06-2014 12:11 | By The Sage

It seems it is us, the responsible dog owners, who microchip our pets, love them and look after them, are paying for the ones who need policing.


Agree

Posted on 27-06-2014 12:14 | By Tyraone

Yes I agree my dogs are under control and are loved members of my family. to me $3765.00 is my bloody donation to the council for absolutely nothing. I am a member of the NZ Kennel club and my dogs are registered with them that costs enough but at least it is for the lifetime of the dog/s. all we are paying the bloody council for is subsidising the bad owners who should be the ones to pay the higher costs. I am totally sick of the dam councils and I have absolutely no respect for them at all. Money money is all they think of. I would love them to come and attend a dog show and see how well the dogs are cared for and loved by their owners.


walking and yes

Posted on 27-06-2014 12:55 | By sojourner

Mr.O'Neill could take his dog for walkies further up the beach on Papamoa, it's a veritable dog and horse toilet there and absolutely disgusting. Other than that I couldn't agree more with him. No way that Animal Services cost as much to run as the dog fees rake in.Try getting the dog rangers out to deal with aggressive dogs! Or everlasting barking dogs.The hoops a person has to go through to get anything done about either are absolutely ridiculous.Dog chipping has done no one any good, apart from the vets who have to be paid for the service. Not a single dog has ever been prevented from biting and attacking people from having a chip on its shoulder. Pun intended. So how about doing away with both fees and chips and just having the freedom to enjoy a best friend who keeps all our secrets and always listens?


good posts

Posted on 27-06-2014 13:26 | By The Tomahawk Kid

Well said Mike - totally agree. Good post Astoreth, and also well put at the end - council will fight to the bitter end to keep this lucrative little cash cow


dog registration

Posted on 27-06-2014 14:11 | By peter pan

All dogs should be chipped and DNA taken then all the droppings left on parks and walkways can be traced. If a dog is found to be un chipped it should be destroyed.


Semi agree

Posted on 27-06-2014 14:34 | By NR

Registration should remain compulsory, but only at an actual cost of admin services, chip & tag. Probably less than $10 worth. You can't single out and make exempt from registration small & well trained dogs. Some well trained dogs can turn very nasty very quickly. Registration is important from all angles. Fines for failing to register should increase, along with all other animal fines (especially for the don't pick the poop up after their mutts people. Poor kids stand in it on their way home from school! Disgusting!).


Agree

Posted on 27-06-2014 15:44 | By sunny

Yap I agree with Mike, dogs are very much part of family's life, we have one and he's a family member, we don't pay a fee for our kids, once they are Micro-chipped that should be it. not more fee!!!


Bureaucracy madness

Posted on 27-06-2014 16:22 | By Whynotask

What a waste of money, get nothing in return. It is rules that make unlawful beings. We would all get along better if we would just trust each other to treat each other appropriately, but we don't. So we keep making silly laws — until we make criminals of everyone.


It would be great

Posted on 27-06-2014 16:45 | By K8

If we didn't have to pay to register our dogs and the irresponsible dog owners paid our registration! I would still register the dogs, so they are in the system but I think the fee for each dog is ridiculous. Agree, what do we get in return? I would rather donate my annual registration fee to the local SPCA or animal rescue organisation.


Also agree

Posted on 27-06-2014 16:56 | By Thoughtful

Our old pooch is coming up 15 so by my estimation we have paid about $1,000 over that time in registration fees. Apart from the dog control officer visiting once many years ago as the result of a call from a vindictive neighbour, we have nothing to show for this investment. Would perhaps have been wise not to register in the first place like so many others do!


Shameless fleecing

Posted on 27-06-2014 19:04 | By Manic boy

From the council hierarchy, a common theme through out NZ - i can just see them sniggering away in their plush kennels deciding what to spend the extra income on, perhaps even more pay rises for our "esteemed" representatives.


Dogs

Posted on 27-06-2014 19:58 | By rosbo

All the "services"provided by the Council are aimed at controlling offensive dogs at the expense of owners of inoffensive dogs. Whilst I do no expect any common sense from Council officers, they must be able to do better than this.


RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!

Posted on 27-06-2014 20:08 | By Kiwigal

Excellent article! It is about time someone brought this up. I am right behind you on this issue even though we are not dog owners. Scrap dog registration, it has no purpose other than sucking precious income from good people.


Dog Fees

Posted on 27-06-2014 23:01 | By Capt_Kaveman

should be around $20-$40 pending on dog size and more smaller fines for owners that dont clean up their mess


Our dogs..

Posted on 28-06-2014 00:03 | By awaroa

are chipped, vac'd and registered. Well loved and cared for. I know what I get for paying to get them chipped and vac'd. I don't see what I get for paying registrations other than an ugly plastic tag that must cost 20cents to make. I'm not liking the comments about DNA testing doggy doo, that gives the gravy hunters a reason to charge us registrations, I mean who pays for the DNA test but agree.. Start a petition Mike. I'll sign it..


Wake up!

Posted on 28-06-2014 00:32 | By GreertonBoy

When a gubbamint decides to enforce a sham like dog registration, speed cameras, tolls etc (ok, maybe the gubbamint doesn't set the cost, but they tax what you pay) they then forcast how much each scam.... er, I mean service will take.... um, I mean bring in.... so if some people don't pay or dog dies or stop speeding, they have to replace missing cash somehow? Therefore, they bring in 'fines' to make up any short fall. Simple politics? If you don't pay your dogs rego, will they come and shoot your dog? No, they will just make it you owe more money til you conform. Maybe let them put you in jail? Then it will cost them way more than the few grand they will eventually end up wanting to extract from you... Now, pay up and conform... like a good citizen. Don't worry, cat rego next


WHAT DOG CONTROL

Posted on 28-06-2014 19:32 | By sheild

Have you ever rung after hours! Have you tied the dog up! We wont attend unless you have caught the dog and its tied up. Excuse me thats what I thought our fees were for! Im not getting paid to chase strays and tie them up. I witnessed 2 large dogs killed by a truck the after hours guy says I cant do anything and was going to leave the dead dogs there on the side of the road until i caused a scene. Ive paid my fees over 20 years for what. Increase fines for stray not cared for animals drop the registration fees.


dog fees

Posted on 29-06-2014 09:52 | By maggie571

if a dog is not registered how do they know who to contact re a wandering dog .there are far too many of these the fees are far too high.maybe that is why they are not registered


Really!!

Posted on 29-06-2014 13:31 | By Dr Phil

What a crock of shite.... Nothing in return for the fee, any responsible owner will have their dog chipped to get it returned if it ever went missing, and vaccinated to protect a loved family member. Registration is a must but the payment is just over the top - be realistic! Responsible owners will ensure their dog has a tag that tells you the dogs name, address and a contact phone number. Sadly too many lets call them "Casual" owners, don't care about registration chipping or cleaning up behind their dogs, Dog Wardens need to be proactive. However it wont solve anything, the UK had the same issues, but were scrapped for all the reasons outlined by everyone here. Dog Registration solves none of the issues - just revenue for the council!!


Absolutely right!

Posted on 30-06-2014 10:52 | By Ducky01

It would be good to get rid of registration all together, considering that you don't have to register any other animal, but lower prices definitely! I have had dogs all my life, and every where I go - "No dogs", "No dogs allowed", "Strictly NO dogs". I live in Tauranga and have been travelling to Rotorua Redwoods and Karangahake Gorge as they seem to be the only places you can take dogs! My dog loves the beach but again, we have to drive out to Pikowai or other "far away" beaches. The price of dog registration is outrageous, and believe me there are PLENTY of people who don't register their dogs for this reason!


Everyone agrees

Posted on 01-07-2014 14:32 | By GreertonBoy

except the pollys.... the reason that registrations are increasing is because law biding dog owners are easy targets... you tell the gubbamint how many dogs you have, where they live and you even collect their poop. By registering them, you are signing a contract that you will pay what they want you to pay, and be policed accordingly. Same with every license and permit... you give written permission for them to fleece you at will. The many people who don't register their dogs, is the reason law abiding owners have to pay so much, always increasing. You are paying for those who refuse to sign the contract. The council are too busy sitting up on their pedestal, counting cash, to be worried about anything us mere mortals want, say or think.... they will be busy planning how to organise cat registration, horses, avians..... goldfish.... children, now there's a thought!


Good on Mike

Posted on 02-07-2014 08:01 | By Tyraone

For bringing this all up. I am absolutely tired of these bloody councils making money out of us esponsible owners. I loathe this time of the year to have to part with my $375.00 hard earned $$$$$ to subsidise some ratshit owner who doesnt give a dam about his/her dog/s allowing same to wander and cause havoc. where I live I cannot take my crew for a walk on the st because of the uncontrolled Xbred types that roam. Then u get the owners who think their dog/s are under control lead in hand dog/s running around, fouling on st and up folks driveways etc. One owner in particular where I live! These are the types that should be penalised no brainer as far as I am concerned.


Agree

Posted on 07-07-2014 13:33 | By YOGI BEAR

Get rid of fees and tripe triple the fine for offences, that would be much more fair as then "user pays" or more appropriate "abuser pays" would apply.


dog park

Posted on 08-07-2014 13:54 | By brijana89

i don't agree with dog registration and do not register either of my dogs...however if we had specific fenced and maintained "dog parks" for unleashed play and permanent agility features that the council maintained i would be more than happy to pay such a fee. but until then i wont be paying.


unfortunately

Posted on 09-07-2014 14:17 | By GreertonBoy

We are the cash cows.... we will pay whatever they want, whenever they want it, there is no getting out of it. So if you guys got your wish to triple the fines on those not towing the line? If you aren't registering your dogs, then you are 'not towing the line'? If you are saying triple fines, then you must be willing to pay triple as you are in fact illegal, so why not just pay your 'dog toll' and be done with it?


Scrap Rego

Posted on 15-07-2014 13:23 | By Lala

I agree with many comments here, good owners pay rego fees, we get nothing out of it, the owners of dogs that roam aren't micro-chipped should get more fines and then the good dog owners shouldn't have to pay. There are enough problem people with dogs to pay for all the dog control area of council without needing to charge good dog owners. $78 for rego is one thing, but if you have 5 dogs which we did and they were all good and well behaved and on leads when we went out, that costs us $390 each year in rego fees and we have nothing to show for it!


@Tyraone

Posted on 15-07-2014 14:15 | By Ducky01

I actually agreed with 99% of what you said until I saw you loosely say "those uncontrolled xbred types that roam" - not all "xbreds" roam you know. I only have one dog now, and she is a beautiful collie/kelpie cross. I wouldn't trade her for anything else, not even a "registered purebred" that it seems apparently doesn't roam? I have in the past had up to 12 dogs at any one given time, due to a hobby, and not once would you see any of them out side the fence of our house. Unfortunately there are lots of people that can't even take responisiblity of one dog that ruin it for the rest of us. Anyway, it's nice to see you have such compassion for dogs, they are lovely animals, i just hope that when you said "xbred types", that you didn't mean it quite like that


Courtney

Posted on 18-07-2014 21:50 | By GreertonBoy

I am not sure if Tyraone was referring to the dogs or the owners?


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