The Dog Owners' Information Manual provides all the basic information and advice on owning a dog and contains extracts from Horowhenua District Council’s Dog Policy and Bylaw and the Dog Control Act. It is a guide and general information resource only.
Dog Owners' Information Manual(PDF, 480KB)
All dogs over the age of three months are required to be registered.
The registration year runs from July 1 to June 30 the following year. All applications for re-registrations should be made by June 30, however payment can be received until July 31. Registration fee payments not made by 31st July annually will incur a 50% late fee penalty payment.
Find out how to register your dog for the first time or transfer a dog registration from another council in the Register your dog page.
If someone is caught with an unregistered dog there is an instant fine, plus a penalty fee to register the dog. The owner of the dog has 28 days to pay the fine. A reminder notice is then sent and a further 28 days is given. If no payment is made, court action will be taken.
Once you have received your Application to Renew Registration of Dogs form by post, find out how to complete and pay for your renewal registration on our Dog Renewal Registration page.
Dog registration fees can be viewed on our Animal Control Fees & Charges page.
Dog owners who believe they may have difficulty in paying their dog registration fees are encouraged to contact Council on (06) 366 0999 and discuss possible options.
The Dog Control Act requires all new dogs to be microchipped within two months of being registered with Council.
Microchipping is a one-off procedure for your dog that involves a microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, being implanted under the skin behind the dog’s neck.
Vets and other qualified microchip implanters can perform the procedure and the cost to do so may vary; it's best to check the cost with your vet who can also advise of any risks appropriate to your dog.
The 15-digit unique number assigned to the microchip is recorded in your dog’s registration records and will help make it easier for us to reunite lost dogs with their owners. It also helps us to identify menacing and dangerous dogs in the community.
Under the Dog Control Act 1996, the following dogs must be microchipped:
- Dogs registered for the first time
- Dogs classified as menacing or dangerous
- Unregistered dogs impounded after 1 July 2006
- Registered dogs impounded after 1 July 2006
- Imported dogs with microchip that does not comply with New Zealand standards.
Exemptions
Working farm dogs mainly used for driving or herding stock do not have to be microchipped, unless the dog has:
- Been classified as menacing or dangerous, or
- Has been impounded when unregistered, or
- Has been impounded twice after 1 July 2006.
When your dog has been microchipped it's important you advise Council of your dog’s microchip number. You can email a copy of your microchip certificate with your name and address (or owner and dog numbers if known) to dogs@horowhenua.govt.nz or bring it in to one of our Council Offices. Find your nearest Council Office on our Visiting Us page.
NZ Kennel Association or Racing Greyhounds Trainer
If you are a NZ Kennel Association member or you train racing greyhounds, you can register with Council and gain a reduction on your dog registration fees. To register, please download and complete the notification form below.
NZ Kennel Club Application(PDF, 805KB)
NZ Racing Greyhound Stable Application(PDF, 798KB)
If you believe that you are a responsible dog owner, check if you qualify to be a Selected Owner and gain a reduction on your dog registration fees. Download the application form available below, complete the details and submit it to Council.
Selected Owner Status Application(PDF, 796KB)
If someone is caught with an unregistered dog there is an instant fine, plus a penalty fee to register the dog. The owner of the dog has 28 days to pay the fine. A reminder notice is then sent and a further 28 days is given. If no payment is made, court action will be taken.
The Dog Pound is situated at the Horowhenua District Council depot entrance at 169 Mako Mako Road, Levin.
Owners of impounded dogs can make an appointment to collect their pets at any time between 8:00am and 4:00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays). To make an appointment, please contact Council on (06) 366 0999 or email enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz
Dog Pound fees can be viewed on our Animal Control Fees & Charges page.
Dog Control Policy and Practices Annual Report
Each year Council is required to report on a variety of dog-related information to Central Government. This is done by way of the 'Dog Control Policy and Practices Annual Report'.
The latest report is for the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 and this is available for downloading below. Alternatively, a hard copy can be obtained by contacting our Customer Service Centre in Levin on phone (06) 366 0999 during normal working hours.
Dog Control Policy and Practices Annual Report 2022-23(PDF, 794KB)