Dog registration penalty payment period kicks in

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Just over 70 percent of the region’s dog registrations had been paid to Gisborne District Council by the end of last week.

The final day for payment before penalty was July 31.

On that day 60 percent of registration fees had been paid.

By Friday last week it had reached 71 percent registered.

It has been estimated the region has around 11,000 dogs.

Last year the GDC sent out just over 600 infringement notices for unregistered dogs.

Dog registration renewal fees become due on July 1 each year.

If they are paid by July 31 dog owners avoid a 25 percent penalty fee that applies to all payments after August 1.

A 10 percent discount may apply to registration of qualifying dogs if paid by July 31.

The dog registration fees under the Dog Control Act 1996 are: for urban and rural pets $102-$92; rural livelihood (income from working dog) $56-$51; selected owner superannuitant $57-$52; superannuitant $67-$61; probationary dog owner (rural and urban) $151-$136; dangerous dogs (rural and urban) $153.  There is no fee for guide and hearing dogs.