Dog Control Act 1996

Obligations of owner

62: Allowing dogs known to be dangerous to be at large unmuzzled

You could also call this:

"Rules for owners of dangerous dogs: keeping them safe and under control in public"

If you own a dog that you know is dangerous, you must not let it roam free without a muzzle. You must keep your dog on a leash and muzzle it when it is in a public place, except when it is in a vehicle or a cage. The muzzle must allow your dog to breathe and drink easily.

If someone else is looking after your dog for less than 72 hours, you must tell them to follow these rules. If you break these rules, you can be fined up to $3,000 and the court may order your dog to be destroyed. If you fail to tell someone looking after your dog to follow these rules, you can be fined up to $500.

There are some exceptions to these rules, such as if your dog is being used by a specified agency, like the police, and is being used for a lawful purpose, as outlined in a bylaw made under section 20(1)(d). In these cases, the rules do not apply to your dog. You are responsible for making sure your dog is safe and does not harm anyone.

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This page was last updated on 19 May 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM375420.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyHousing and property > Land use

61: Orders relating to dog seen worrying stock, or

"What happens if your dog worries farm animals and you don't control it"

63: Owner liable for damage done by dog, or

"If your dog causes damage, you have to pay for it, no matter what."

62Allowing dogs known to be dangerous to be at large unmuzzled

This section applies to a dog owned by a person and known by the person to—
be dangerous; or
have attacked any person or any stock or poultry or property of any kind.

The person must not allow the dog to be at large or in any public place or private way, except when confined completely within a vehicle or cage, without being—
muzzled in such a manner as to prevent the dog from biting but to allow it to breathe and drink without obstruction; and
controlled on a leash (except when in a dog exercise area specified in a bylaw made under section 20(1)(d)).

A person whose dog is in the possession of any other person for a period of less than 72 hours must advise that person of the requirement to comply with subsection (2).
Every person who contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000, and the court may, on convicting the person, make an order for the destruction of the dog.
Every person who contravenes subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500.
This section does not apply in respect of a dog that—
is kept, or used, or is certified for use by a specified agency; and
is being used for the purpose of carrying out in a lawful manner any function, duty, or power of that agency.

Compare

1982 No 42 s 57

Notes

Section 62: substituted, on 1 December 2003, by section 38 of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 119).
Section 62(3): amended, on 7 July 2004, by section 21(1) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 61).
Section 62(4): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
Section 62(4): amended, on 7 July 2004, by section 21(1) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 61).
Section 62(5): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
Section 62(5): amended, on 7 July 2004, by section 21(2) of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 61).