MPI Consults on Proposed Rules to Ban Prolonged Dog Confinement

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has opened public consultation on a proposed regulation to prohibit the prolonged confinement of dogs in New Zealand.

The consultation opened on 8 October 2026 and closes at 5:00 pm on 23 November 2026.

What the Proposal Involves

Under the proposal, the owner of a dog, or the person in charge of it, would commit an infringement offence if the dog is confined and two or more indicators of prolonged confinement are present. The infringement fee would be $500.

1News reported the indicators inspectors would look for as:

• A build-up of faeces or urine
• A badly damaged enclosure
• Injuries from an enclosure
• Muscle wastage
• Overgrown nails
• Fly bite dermatitis
• Excessive frustration

The proposal follows the rules on prolonged tethering of dogs, which did not cover the caging or confinement of dogs.

What This Means for Dog Owners

Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard told 1News that kennelling dogs at night, or between jobs on the farm, is normal and responsible, and that crating a dog for toilet training, travel, vet care or a house move is not the target either. He said owners whose dogs get regular exercise and company, and have room to stand, lie down, stretch out and turn around, have nothing to worry about.

1News also reported that the consultation will ask whether the proposed rules properly protect normal, short-term confinement, so owners who crate or kennel their dogs may want to have their say.

Submissions can be emailed to animal.consult@mpi.govt.nz before 5:00 pm on 23 November 2026. For practical housing guidance, see our guide to dog crate sizes in New Zealand and our overview of New Zealand pet laws and rules.

Sources

• https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/proposed-regulation-on-the-prolonged-confinement-of-dogs
• https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/08/dog-owners-who-shut-animals-away-for-long-periods-face-new-fine/