Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Dog Control Act 1996

Registration and registration fees

36A: Microchip transponder must be implanted in certain dogs

You could also call this:

"Some dogs must have a microchip implanted to help identify them."

If you have a dog that is classified as dangerous under section 31 or menacing under section 33A or section 33C, you must get a microchip implanted in your dog. You must also do this if you are registering your dog for the first time on or after 1 July 2006. The microchip helps identify your dog.

You need to arrange for a vet to implant a special microchip in your dog. This microchip must be of a certain type and implanted in a certain way. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as for working dogs.

If your dog is classified as dangerous or menacing, you must make it available for verification that it has a microchip. If your dog is registered for the first time on or after 1 July 2006, you can either make it available for verification or get a certificate from a vet. The certificate must include certain information about your dog and the microchip.

You must comply with the microchip rule within a certain time frame, depending on when your dog was classified or registered. If you do not comply, you can be fined up to $3,000. You do not need to get a microchip if your dog already has one that meets the requirements.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

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=DLM375153.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Police and safetyHousing and property > Land use
Previous

36: Application for registration, or

"Registering Your Dog: How to Sign Up Your Pet with the Council"

Next

37: Territorial authority to set fees, or

"Councils can charge dog owners fees, but they must be fair and reasonable."

36AMicrochip transponder must be implanted in certain dogs

  1. This section applies to a dog that—

  2. is classified as dangerous under section 31 on or after 1 December 2003; or
    1. is classified as menacing under section 33A or section 33C on or after 1 December 2003; or
      1. is registered for the first time on or after 1 July 2006.

        1. The owner of the dog must, for the purpose of providing permanent identification of the dog, arrange for the dog to be implanted with a functioning microchip transponder of the prescribed type and in the prescribed manner.

        2. Subsection (2) does not apply to a dog as defined in paragraph (b)(ii) of the definition of working dog in section 2 registered as a working dog under section 46(1) and wearing a collar, label, or disc as provided in section 34(4)(b).

        3. Subsection (2) is complied with by the owner,—

        4. for a dog that is classified as dangerous or menacing, by making the dog available, in accordance with the reasonable instructions of the territorial authority, for verification that it has been implanted with a functioning microchip transponder of the prescribed type and in the prescribed location:
          1. for a dog that is registered for the first time on or after 1 July 2006, by—
            1. making the dog available, in accordance with the reasonable instructions of the territorial authority, for verification that it has been implanted with a functioning microchip transponder of the prescribed type and in the prescribed location; or
              1. providing to the territorial authority a certificate issued by a veterinarian certifying—
                1. that the dog is or has been implanted with a functioning microchip transponder of the prescribed type and in the prescribed location; or
                  1. that, for the reasons that are specified in the certificate, the dog will not be in a fit condition to be implanted with a functioning microchip transponder of the prescribed type and in the prescribed location before a date specified in the certificate.

                2. A certificate issued by a veterinarian under subsection (3)(b)(ii) must include the following information:

                3. the unique identifier of the microchip transponder (if subsection (3)(b)(ii)(A) applies); and
                  1. the name and sex of the dog; and
                    1. a physical description of the dog, which may include the breed, the colour, and any distinguishing marks; and
                      1. if the dog is registered, the registration number of the label or disc issued for the dog; and
                        1. the name, date of birth, and address of the owner of the dog.

                          1. If a certificate under subsection (3)(b)(ii)(B) is produced to the territorial authority, the owner must produce to the territorial authority, within 1 month after the date specified in the certificate, a further certificate under subsection (3)(b)(ii).

                          2. The owner must comply with subsection (2)—

                          3. within 2 months from 1 July 2006, if the dog is classified as dangerous or menacing on or after 1 December 2003 but before 1 July 2006; or
                            1. within 2 months after the date on which the dog is classified as dangerous or menacing or is registered (as the case may be), in any other case.

                              1. Subsection (2) does not apply if—

                              2. as a requirement of this Act, the dog has been previously implanted with a functioning microchip transponder of the prescribed type and in the prescribed location; or
                                1. in any other case, the territorial authority has verified that the dog has been implanted with a functioning microchip transponder of the prescribed type and in the prescribed location.

                                  1. Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 who fails to comply with subsection (2) or subsection (5).

                                  2. Repealed
                                  Notes
                                  • Section 36A: inserted, on , by section 24 of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 119).
                                  • Section 36A(2A): inserted (with effect on 1 July 2006), on , by section 17 of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 23).
                                  • Section 36A(3): substituted (with effect on 1 July 2006), on , by section 17(1) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 61).
                                  • Section 36A(3A): inserted (with effect on 1 July 2006), on , by section 17(1) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 61).
                                  • Section 36A(4): amended (with effect on 1 July 2006), on , by section 18(1)(a) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 23).
                                  • Section 36A(4): amended (with effect on 1 July 2006), on , by section 18(1)(b) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 23).
                                  • Section 36A(5): substituted (with effect on 1 July 2006), on , by section 17(2) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 61).
                                  • Section 36A(5A): inserted (with effect on 1 July 2006), on , by section 17(2) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 61).
                                  • Section 36A(6): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
                                  • Section 36A(7): repealed (without coming into force), on , by section 18(2) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 23).