Dog Control Act 1996

Obligations of owner

52A: Control of dog on owner's property

You could also call this:

"Keep your dog safe and under control on your property to avoid trouble with the law."

When you have a dog on your property, you must make sure it is under control. You can do this by keeping the dog with a person who is in charge of it, or by keeping it inside your property so it cannot get out. If you do not do this, you can get a fine of up to $3,000.

If you do not keep your dog under control, a dog control officer can take your dog away and keep it until you pay a fee to get it back. The officer can come onto your property, except for your house, to take the dog. You must follow the rules to keep your dog and yourself safe.

If you break the rules, you will be in trouble with the law, as stated in the Dog Control Act 1996, which was amended by the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 and the Criminal Procedure Act 2011.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM375198.


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52: Control of dogs generally, or

"Keeping Your Dog Under Control"


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53: Offence of failing to keep dog under control, or

"You must control your dog or you might get a fine of up to $3,000."

52AControl of dog on owner's property

  1. This section applies when a dog is on land or premises occupied by its owner.

  2. The owner of a dog must, at all times, ensure that either—

  3. the dog is under the direct control of a person; or
    1. the dog is confined within the land or premises in such a manner that it cannot freely leave the land or premises.
      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).

      2. If a person fails to comply with subsection (2), a dog control officer or dog ranger may—

      3. seize and impound the dog; and
        1. for the purposes of paragraph (a), enter, at any reasonable time, the land or premises (except a dwellinghouse) owned or occupied by the owner of the dog.
          Notes
          • Section 52A: inserted, on , by section 32 of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 119).
          • Section 52A(3): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).