A spate of dog attacks has reignited calls for tougher controls — but Ashburton and Selwyn councils say the real problem isn’t a lack of rules, it’s the owners failing to meet their obligations.
By Jonathan Leask of Local Democracy Reporting
Dog attacks are in focus nationally after a woman was mauled to death in Northland, a father and son critically injured in Christchurch, and another woman taken to a Timaru hospital in February.
The incidents have prompted calls for stricter controls.
The Ashburton District Council is in the process of reviewing its Dog Control Bylaw and Policy.
Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said the Dog Control Act and the council’s dog control bylaws "are effective when adhered to by responsible owners".
"Our approach in the first instance is to inform and educate owners of their obligations, but we will, and do, use the powers given under the bylaws and legislation to take action when required."
The council wants to hear what the community thinks about the rules as part of the bylaw review, he said.
An "early engagement" survey at the end of last year received 339 responses.
Hyde said the feedback is helping form a new draft of the bylaw for council to consider and adopt for public consultation in late May.
"It's too early to say what the proposed changes might be at this stage, but common themes in the feedback included the location of off-leash areas, controls for dogs being walked, and concerns around wandering dogs and owners not cleaning up after their pet."
All areas of the district, including controlled dog areas – such as dog parks and exercise areas – are regularly patrolled, Hyde said.
"We find that incidents caused by dogs on leash is not a big problem.
"Where we do see issues is with owners not keeping their dog(s) under effective control or failing to keep their dogs secure on their property."
Dog bite claims to ACC increase by 19% over four years but experts warn against knee-jerk reactions. (Source: 1News)
There are around 6646 dogs registered in the Ashburton District, and figures at the recent activity briefings showed an average of 5.5 dog attacks reported over the last six months.
"There is no figure that we’d call the 'usual', as we consider any dog incident to be one too many."
While the numbers fluctuate from year-to-year, he said the council consistently see problems arise when owners don't keep dogs under control or confined to their property.
"We already take a firm approach to dog registration – currently 98% of known dogs are registered, and we initiate action against owners who fail to register their dogs."
At the recent activity briefing, regulatory manager Rick Catchpowle explained that a dog attack was difficult to clarify in one short phrase.
Incidents can range from an extreme of a dog biting that results in injury to "a rushing, which in itself can be quite serious".
Rushing is when a dog rapidly approaches a person or animal within close proximity in a menacing or aggressive manner.
Many of the incidents are "just a rushing, but it's reported as an attack".
Selwyn District Council updated its dog control bylaw in 2024 and has no plans for another review soon.
However, Development and growth executive director Robert Love said the growth of dog numbers would likely see a review sooner than the required 10-year period.
Figures supplied by the council show that in the last six months since September 1, there have been 32 reported incidents of dog attack – 23 involving attacks on other animals and nine involving attacks on people.
Love said there has been an annual average of just under 84 attacks and 62 rushing dogs since 2018/19.
"In the 2024/25 year, this amounted to approximately three attacks per 1000 dogs and two rushing dogs per 1000 dogs," Love said.
Dog registration is a core tool to help the council reduce the risk of harm, injury, or nuisance caused by dogs, Love said.
"Registering dogs enables councils to identify and manage dogs that are roaming, acting aggressively, or have been involved in an attack.
"Fortunately, in Selwyn we have very few dogs who are not registered and a very low percentage of dog related incidents, which suggests our dog owners are generally responsible and caring owners."
Dog registration: Where does the money go?
SPCA’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr Arnja Dale said New Zealand's dog control laws were "incredibly outdated" and needed an overhaul. (Source: 1News)
Dog registration fees pay for animal control services, responding to complaints, patrolling public areas, managing pound facilities, public education, administration costs, and the maintenance of the National Dog Database for reuniting lost dogs.
The fees do not go towards dog parks operation or maintenance as they are considered an open space and funded through general rates.
Ashburton’s Dog Control fees are increasing 7% each year.
This followed the decision in the 2024-34 long-term plan for a graduated increase in fees of 7% each year for five years to reduce ratepayers' contribution.
Love said Selwyn’s dog registration fees cover the animal control services managing dogs.
"These costs are also supported by rates and other dog fees."
As with Ashburton, a registration price increase is being considered.
"As the council continues to respond to community feedback, including a clear desire to keep rates increases as low as possible, we are looking at ways to better align costs with the people who use these services."
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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