Key dog owner responsibilities
All dogs in New Zealand must be registered by the time they are 3 three months old, by law. Find out how to register your dog with the Wellington City Council.
Dog owners are also legally required to microchip their dogs within two months of registration. See more information on microchipping.
De-sexing your dog has several benefits for you and your community. Wellington City Council offers a reduced registration fee for de-sexed dogs: De-sex your dog
At home
When you are a dog owner, there are expectations for how you care for them at home:
- As well as being registered with Council every year, you need to notify Council of any changes to your address or a change in ownership of your dog – including when they pass away.
- Make sure your dog has adequate physical well-being through acceptable nutrition, environmental, health and behavioural stimulus, and an environment that supports their mental well-being.
- Your dog must be kept under control at all times, or confined in such a manner it cannot freely leave your property.
- You must take all reasonable steps to make sure your dog does not cause a nuisance to any other person, whether by persistent and loud barking, howling or by any other means.
- You must also take all reasonable steps to make sure the dog does not damage or endanger any property belonging to any other person.
When out and about
Wellington is a dog-friendly city! Make sure you’re taking care of your kurī and the people around you by:
- Keeping your dog on a leash at all times, except when visiting a designated off-leash exercise area. You must have your dog under control at all times, even when off-leash. For more information on where you can let dogs off-leash, see our map of dog exercise areas.
- Picking up your dog’s poo if it defecates in a public place. Owners must always have a means to pick up dog poo on them while out with their dogs. Failure to pick up dog faeces or to have any dog poo bags on you while in public with a dog may result in a $300 infringement.
- Taking all reasonable steps to make sure the dog does not injure, endanger, intimidate, or otherwise cause distress to any person or property. Continuous barking, howling or other noises may also cause public nuisance.
- Making sure your dog does not injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife. Take note of our signs around the city, and make sure you are aware of other animals that may be in the area.
- Complying with the Dog Control Act 1996, and any regulations and bylaws made under the Act.