Animal control services in New Zealand

Kenneth J. Muir

Abstract

Animal control issues are the same in cities all over the world, with councils and their Animal Control Officers facing increasing pressure to give quality service delivery and provide resolutions to pressing problems. These problems are not new, but in New Zealand current trends are towards keeping more aggressive breeds of dog, as citizens become more concerned about their personal and property security. As the population of cities continues to increase and property security. As the population of cities continues to increase and property sizes shrink, citizens disturbed by barking dogs reaches alarming proportions.

In response to calls for stricter dog control, but without adequate legislation to resolve the issues, councils continue to reward responsible ownership but lack the teeth to provide a real deterrent for those owners who choose not to control their dogs.

This paper gives a brief overview of some aspects of animal control in New Zealand from the authors perspective, outlining some of the current educational trends. The paper gives an insight into some of the options being explored by councils in this complex field.

About the author

Kenneth J Muir M.D.C.O Ins.(Dip)
Governing Director
Animal Control Services Limited
P.O. Box 130
Albany, North Shore City
Auckland, New Zeland

Back to Urban Animal Management Conference Index

Back to Petnet