Dog control

We provide information about dog control to help keep people and communities safe.

The Dog Control Act 1996 seeks to improve public safety by mitigating the risk of harm, injury or nuisance from dogs living in our communities. To this end, the Act allocates responsibilities, sets out obligations and provides for a range of mechanisms, under which:

  • dog owners are responsible for their dogs, their dogs' behaviour, and fulfilling the requirements of the Act, and
  • councils are responsible for administering, implementing and enforcing the Act, including the maintenance of a dog register.

Dog Control Act 1996 (Legislation website)

Updates

23 March 2026 – The Government has recently announced its intention to review the Dog Control Act 1996. You can read more about it below. 

Government orders review of Dog Control Act (Beehive website)

In this section

Better dog control

We help improve dog control to keep people and communities safe, while supporting responsible dog ownership and clear rules for councils and dog owners.

Dog control in your area

Find information about your local council and how it manages dog control, including rules, responsibilities, and services in your area.

Disability assist dogs

Learn about disability assist dogs, including their rights, where they can go and how they support people to live more independently.

Microchipping questions and answers

Learn about dog microchipping, why it matters, who needs it, and how it helps identify dogs and reunite them with their owners.

Dog control statistics

This data brings together information from national sources, including registration, injury, and enforcement data, to give an overview of dog control in New Zealand.

Responsible dog ownership

Learn what good dog ownership looks like and how councils help keep communities safe through education, support and enforcement.

Guidelines for authorisation to certify disability assist dogs

Learn how organisations can apply to be authorised to certify disability assist dogs, including the requirements, criteria and process.