Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Dog Control Act 1996

Miscellaneous provisions

76: Giving and content of notices

You could also call this:

"What to expect when you get an official notice about your dog"

When you get a notice about your dog, it must be in writing. You can get it by someone giving it to you in person, or by finding it at your home, or by getting it in the mail. If you sent in an application to register your dog, it can also be sent to the address you put on that application. If the notice is sent to you by registered mail, it is considered given to you when it would normally arrive. The notice must say why you are getting it, what you can do if you disagree with it, and who to contact if you have questions. It must also say who sent the notice and where they can be reached. If someone wants to come onto your property, the notice must say they are allowed to do so by law. If your dog has been taken by the authorities, the notice must tell you that you have 7 days to claim your dog and pay any fees, or it might be sold or destroyed. The notice is considered official if it has the name of the person who sent it on it.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=DLM375471.

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

75: Disability assist dogs, or

"Dogs that help people with disabilities are allowed in public places and some buildings."

Next

77: Application of fines, or

"What happens to the money you pay if you break the Dog Control Act rules"

76Giving and content of notices

  1. Any notice or direction under this Act that is to be given to any particular person shall be in writing and may be given—

  2. by delivering it personally to the person to whom it is to be given; or
    1. by leaving it, or sending it by post in a letter addressed to the person, at his or her usual or last known place of residence; or
      1. by sending it by post in a letter addressed to the person at the address given by the person in a current application to register a dog at his or her address as the owner of a dog.

        1. If a notice or direction to which subsection (1) applies is sent by post in a registered letter, that notice or direction shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act, in the absence of proof to the contrary, to be given at the time at which the letter would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.

        2. Every notice or direction to which subsection (1) applies shall—

        3. specify—
          1. the purpose of the notice; and
            1. the rights of objection (if any) to the matters referred to in the notice; and
              1. the name and address of the dog control officer or other officer of the territorial authority to whom inquiries in respect of the notice may be made; and
                1. if entry on land or premises is intended, the statutory authority for the entry; and
                  1. in the case of notice that a dog has been impounded, a statement that the dog may be sold, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of unless the dog is claimed and all fees paid within 7 days after the receipt of the notice; and
                  2. in the absence of proof to the contrary, be sufficiently authenticated if it bears the name of the person giving the notice or direction.

                    Compare
                    • 1982 No 42 s 84
                    • 1989 No 44 s 86