Masterton dog fees likely to rise

The fee for a neutered dog in the urban area is set to rise by $1 to $80 and for an entire dog by $1 to $125.

Dog registration fees are set to creep up slightly in the new financial year beginning on July 1.

Masterton District councillors are expected to agree to an increase in fees when the policy and finance committee meets this afternoon.

The fee for a neutered dog in the urban area rises by $1 to $80 and for an entire by $1 to $125.

Rural dogs will cost $80 for the first dog and $20 for each subsequent dog and there is a range of fees for dogs classified as menacing or dangerous depending on whether they are neutered or entire and urban or rural based.

According to the council's Planning and Regulatory Services manager, Sue Southey, the cost of animal control for the coming year requires a budgeted increase overall of 6.8 per cent with revenue from dog fees totalling $306,000.

All registration fees that remain unpaid on August 1 will incur a 50 per cent penalty.

Mrs Southey said a scheme tried last year which resulted in registered dog owners being sent a reminder notice in July warning them of the penalty date had been very successful and had saved many owners from having to pay the penalty.

The scale of pound fees makes it obvious it is in the interest of dog owners to keep their dogs under control.

The fee for the first impounding in a year is $66, rising to $122 for a second impounding and to $153 for a third or subsequent impounding. Those fees do not include a $12 a day sustenance charge.