Dog ownership

All dogs living in the Buller District need to be registered. You can find out more about how to register your dog on our dog registration page.

Key points are:

• If you keep a dog, then it must be registered.
• Registration needs to be renewed annually.
• You need to pay your annual registration fee by 31 July each year.
• Ensure your dog wears its current registration tag at all times.
• Puppies must be registered before they reach 3 months of age.

Dogs can be registered at Council Offices in Westport and Reefton during office hours, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm Monday to Friday, or email info@bdc.govt.nz. 

Council sets the fees and charges relating to dog registration and other dog-related actions annually as part of the Annual Plan or Long-Term Plan. You can view these on our Fees and Charges page under "Dog registration and other animal management fees".

If a dog's ownership changes, its current registration continues to be valied until 31 July each year. It is important that the previous owner and the new owner advise Council of the ownership change within 14 days.

If the ownership is not changed, Council will not be able to contact the new owner. 

Owning a dog (or any pet) comes with responsibilities. Pets are an important part of family life for many people. In addition to providing companionship, affection, and fun, having a pet can provide children with an opportunity to learn to care for an animal.

Dogs involve some extra work, and owning a dog comes with a cost. As the dog’s owner, you are responsible for your animals’ well-being and need to consider these factors when considering to care for a dog.

Owners must ensure their dog receives proper care and attention. This means providing adequate food, water, shelter and exercise. Be sure to keep your dog's vaccinations and worm treatments up to date. Your local vet will be able to help with a schedule.

Dogs may be exercised free of restraining devices under the owner’s constant observation and voice control in the following areas:

• River edges, beach frontage, including dune areas, (excluding conservation areas).
• The Westport Domain, Brougham Street Domain, the southern end of Carters Beach Domain.
• In Reefton, the Strand, adjacent to the racecourse on the Crampton Road reserve and the old cemetery on Buller Road Leash control areas.

Dogs must be on a leash in all urban areas, parks (not identified as exercise areas or prohibited areas) or any area where the dog (if not on a leash) may injure, intimidate or cause distress to any other people, domestic animals, stock, poultry or protected wildlife.

There are also specific areas, such as children’s playgrounds, where all dogs (with the exception of those carrying out their function as a working dog as defined by the legislation) are prohibited.

Don't forget to take something with you to remove faeces when exercising your dog, eg a pooper scooper or plastic bag. Failing to do so may result in a fine. 

De-sexing your dog makes it cleaner, easier to handle, less likely to roam, more socially acceptable, less aggressive, and less likely to suffer from diseases such as testicular and ovarian cancer. Council encourages de-sexing by offering discounts on registration fees for neutered and spayed dogs.

Dog obedience training is a positive way of spending time with your dog. It can also help you comply with the responsible dog owner practices.

The SPCA has some great tips on dog training.

Rules and regulations - The Dog Control Act 1996 requires owners to keep their dogs under control at all times. This includes on your property and when out in public.

As a dog owner, under the Dog Control Act 1996 you must:

• Register your dog
• Keep your dog under control at all times
• Comply with Council's Dog Control Policy
• Ensure that your dog receives proper care and attention, is supplied with sufficient food, water, shelter and receives adequate exercise
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure your dog does not injure, intimidate or otherwise cause distress to any person
• Owners must muzzle their dogs in public if they are classified as menacing or dangerous
• Owners must accept liability for damage done by their dog
• Anyone taking a dog out in public is required to use or carry a leash at all times
• Owners must ensure that dogs on their land or property are under the direct control of a person or confined within the property so that they cannot leave of their own free will.

For full details of your responsibilities as a dog owner, please check the requirements of the Dog Control Act 1996 or speak to one of our Animal Management Officers on 03 788 9111 or 0800 807 239.

The West Coast’s beautiful beaches are also home to precious coastal wildlife and bird species. You can do your bit to help protect them.

Dogs can be walked along the beach as long as:

• Dogs are under direct control of their owner or another person at all times (i.e. on a leash, or under voice control).
• Dogs do not roam in dunes, scrub and coastal forests above the high tide mark.
• Dogs are kept close after dusk, when penguins travel between the sea and their burrows.
• Dogs and white baiting (or fishing) really do not mix and the best thing you can do is leave your dog at home. If you must bring them, aim to secure your dog on a long leash or rope so your dog cannot wander and pose a risk to wildlife and other people.

If you own a dog and live within 200 metres of the beach, it is important that you comply with the Dog Control Act 1996 , which states that a dog must be securely contained within your property and is unable to leave your section. 

Penguins and other coastal wildlife often nest 200 metres or more inland and closer. Sometimes they even nest under houses.

In New Zealand, the legislation regarding animal welfare is the Animal Welfare Act 1999. It is a very wide-ranging act that deals with offences in the handling and management of animals (including birds). Common offences include failing to provide an animal with adequate food, water and shelter, deliberate acts of cruelty towards an animal and failing to seek necessary veterinary advice.

The Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) leads and facilitates the management of animal welfare policy and practice in New Zealand. MPI promotes policies for the humane treatment of animals and is an important participant in the ongoing animal welfare debate.

Sometimes people find themselves in the unfortunate position of being unable to keep their pet. The decision to rehome your pet can be an extremely tough one, and it may be for reasons that are out of your control. You can find out about rehoming options from the SPCA.

The Dog Controle Act 1996 requires Council to report on the administration of its Dog Control Policy and practices each financial year (1 July - 31 June).