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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Conservation Act 1987

Control of dogs

26ZZP: Offences

You could also call this:

"Breaking rules about dogs in special areas can get you in trouble"

If you own a dog or are in charge of one, you can get in trouble if you let it go into a controlled dog area when it is not allowed, as stated in section 26ZZG. You can also get in trouble if you have a special permit to take your dog into one of these areas, but you do not follow the rules of the permit, which is issued under section 26ZZH(1). If you take your dog into a controlled dog area, you must keep it under your control, and you must also follow any other rules that apply to the area, including those imposed under section 26ZU(c).

If you break these rules, you might have to pay a fine of up to $10,000, or you might even have to go to prison for up to 12 months, or both. You must make sure you know the rules and follow them to avoid getting in trouble.

You have to follow the rules for controlled dog areas and open dog areas, and if you do not, you can get in trouble, so it is essential to understand and comply with the conditions imposed under section 26ZU(c).

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM106092.

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationCrime and justice > Criminal law
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26ZZO: Recovery of costs relating to dogs, or

"Paying for costs if your dog is taken by the authorities"

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26ZZQ: Dogs causing serious injury to protected wildlife, or

"Dogs that badly hurt or kill protected animals can get their owners in big trouble."

Part 5CControl of dogs

26ZZPOffences

  1. Every person commits an offence against this Act and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to both who,—

  2. being the owner of a dog or a person in charge of a dog, allows that dog, in contravention of section 26ZZG, to enter or remain in any part of a controlled dog area; or
    1. being the holder of a dog control permit issued to that person under section 26ZZH(1), takes any dog to which that permit relates into any part of the controlled dog area otherwise than in accordance with the conditions of that permit; or
      1. being the owner of a dog or a person in charge of a dog, fails to keep under his or her immediate or apparent control a dog that he or she has taken into a controlled dog area; or
        1. being the owner or a person in charge of a dog, fails, in relation to any controlled dog area or open dog area, to comply with any condition imposed under section 26ZU(c) in relation to that controlled dog area or open dog area.

          Notes
          • Section 26ZZP: inserted, on , by section 3 of the Conservation Amendment Act (No 2) 1996 (1996 No 14).
          • Section 26ZZP: amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).