Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Dog Control Act 1996

Obligations of owner

53: Offence of failing to keep dog under control

You could also call this:

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

If you own a dog, you must keep it under control. If you fail to do this, you can commit an offence and be liable for a fine of up to $3,000. You can be convicted of this offence if you are the owner of a dog and you do not keep it under control.

If your dog is found in a public place and is not under control, you might not commit an offence, but this depends on other rules. You do not commit an offence just because your dog is in a public place and not under control, if this is against secondary legislation, but you must still follow the rules in section 52(2)(b).

You must make sure your dog is under control at all times to avoid committing an offence and facing a fine.

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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=DLM375400.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Police and safetyHousing and property > Land use
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52A: Control of dog on owner's property, or

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

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54: Obligations of dog owner, or

"Looking after your dog: what you must do as a dog owner"

53Offence of failing to keep dog under control

  1. Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 who, being the owner of a dog, fails to keep that dog under control.

  2. Notwithstanding section 52(2)(b), an owner of a dog does not commit an offence against subsection (1) by reason only of the dog being found at large in a public place in contravention of any secondary legislation.

Notes
  • Section 53(1): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
  • Section 53(1): amended, on , by section 33 of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 119).
  • Section 53(2): amended, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).