Media Release
20 April 2006

Council to monitor dog chips on national database

Manukau City Council is putting systems in place to play its part when new laws requiring the microchipping of certain dogs begin in July.

Under amendments to the Dog Control Act 1996, some dogs will need to be microchipped for permanent identification to help relocate lost or stolen dogs and to track dangerous and menacing dogs.

Council must ensure dog microchip details are recorded correctly on the national dog database.

Not all dogs need to be microchipped. From 1 July 2006, the following dogs must be microchipped:

- dogs registered for the first time,

- dogs classified by the Council as dangerous or menacing dogs from 1 December 2003,

- unregistered dogs claimed or adopted from an animal shelter, and

- registered dogs held at the shelter on more than one occasion

Dog owners have two months to provide proof that their dog has been microchipped. Owners who register their new dog with Council in September for instance, will have till November to provide proof to Council that it has been microchipped.

Dogs registered prior to 1 July 2006 will not need to be microchipped. However, dog owners who don’t need to have their dog’s microchipped by law can still do so as it will help reunite them with their dog if it is lost or stolen.

Mohammed Hassan, Manukau City Council’s Manager, Clean Environment, says Council officials are working hard to ensure the smooth administration of this new legislative requirement.

“This is not as simple as it sounds. Dog owners need to know where they can get their dog microchipped and what they need to provide Council to prove their dog is microchipped,” says Mr Hassan.

“Council’s role is to ensure microchip numbers are accurately recorded in the National Dog Database and to ensure that dog owners who are required to have their dog microchipped, do so within the two month compliance period” says Mr Hassan.

Owners of dogs not classified by Council as dangerous or menacing must prove that their dog has been microchipped by either supplying a certificate from a veterinarian or by taking their dog to the Manukau City Council and Papakura District Council Animal Management Shelter to verify that the microchip meets national standards.

Owners of dogs classified by Council as dangerous or menacing must bring their dog to the shelter; a certificate cannot be accepted as proof.

Council will track dog owners to ensure they microchip their dog if required by the Dog Control Act to do so. Failure to microchip a dog or failure to provide proof to Council may incur an instant $300 fine or a Court fine of up to $3,000.

Further details on the microchipping requirement will be sent to dog owners with their re-registration forms in June. More detailed information is available from Council’s Call Centre on 262-5104.

ENDS

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