Menacing dogs won't automatically be neutered under proposed changes to a Rangitikei District Council bylaw.
Currently all dogs classed as menacing either by breed or behaviour have to be neutered but the proposed bylaw change would give animal control officers discretion.
Council environmental and regulatory services team leader Johan Cullis said in some cases there were behaviour controls that were effective, meaning automatic neutering could be inappropriate.
"Some breeds respond better to other measures," he said.
"(A dog) might show a bit of aggression and if that dog can be controlled in a different way, it may not be effective to neuter the dog.