Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Conservation Act 1987

Control of dogs

26ZZQ: Dogs causing serious injury to protected wildlife

You could also call this:

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

If you own a dog or are in charge of one, and it attacks protected wildlife in a controlled or open dog area, you can get in trouble. You will be in trouble if your dog kills protected wildlife or hurts it so badly that it needs to be put down to end its suffering. The law says you can be punished with up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

When you are found guilty, the court will usually order that your dog be put down, unless the court thinks the attack was an exceptional circumstance that does not warrant the dog's destruction. This means the court will consider the circumstances of the attack before making a decision about what happens to your dog. The court's decision will depend on the specifics of the situation.

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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=DLM106094.

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationCrime and justice > Criminal law
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26ZZP: Offences, or

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

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26ZZR: Power of warranted officer to request information, or

"What happens when an officer asks for your details in a controlled dog area"

Part 5CControl of dogs

26ZZQDogs causing serious injury to protected wildlife

  1. A person commits an offence if the person is the owner, or a person in charge, of a dog that attacks protected wildlife in a controlled dog area or an open dog area and causes—

  2. the death of protected wildlife; or
    1. injury to protected wildlife so that it becomes necessary to destroy the wildlife to end its suffering.

      1. The person is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding $10,000, or both.

      2. The court must, on convicting the person, make an order for the destruction of the dog unless satisfied that the circumstances of the attack were exceptional and do not justify destruction.

      Notes
      • Section 26ZZQ: substituted, on , by section 6 of the Conservation Amendment Act (No 2) 2010 (2010 No 54).
      • Section 26ZZQ(2): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).