Palmerston North Reviews Annual Dog Control Performance

On 16 September 2026, Palmerston North City Council's Community Resilience & Sustainability Committee formally received the Annual Section 10A Dog Control Report for the 2025/26 fiscal year. Presented by environmental protection and animal management officials, the statutory review provides an operational audit of municipal canine management, shelter occupancy, public safety incidents, and local compliance under the Dog Control Act 1996.

Under Section 10A of the Act, a territorial authority must, in respect of each financial year, report on the administration of its dog control policy adopted under Section 10 and its dog control practices, give public notice of the report, and make the report publicly available.

Key Operational Findings from the 2025/26 Period

The report highlights notable shifts in local canine demographics and community service calls across the city:

• Registration Numbers: The annual maximum of registered dogs in Palmerston North reached 9,363, representing a 2.75% decrease compared to the previous reporting year. Council officers said this is thought to be influenced by economic pressures and the costs associated with owning a dog.
• Service Demand and Roaming Dogs: Total service requests handled by animal control officers increased by 20.4% to 3,981 calls. Roaming dogs and canines secured by members of the public constituted the highest volume of inquiries, followed by persistent barking complaints.
• Aggressive Canine Behaviour: The council recorded 208 reports of rushing or aggressive behaviour, an increase of 26% year-on-year. Reported canine attacks rose by 34.1% to 165 incidents, of which 68 involved attacks on a person.
• Shelter Occupancy at Te Whare Kouru: Slightly fewer dogs were impounded in 2025/26 than in the prior year, but the occupancy rate at Te Whare Kouru was higher, which indicates dogs were staying for longer periods of time. With partner community rescue organisations operating near maximum holding capacity, rehoming options faced substantial bottlenecks, although more impounded dogs were successfully reunited with their verified owners than in the previous year.
• Canine Therapy Support: A trial is underway with Canine Friends Pet Therapy Charity where they have received free registration for dogs in their agency that have been working in therapy settings for more than 1 year and conduct at least 2 hours work per month. The current total is 23 dogs.

What This Means for New Zealand Dog Owners

The annual reporting under Section 10A underscores the responsibilities shared by dog guardians throughout the country.

To maintain compliant ownership and protect neighbourhood harmony, dog owners should focus on core operational responsibilities:

1. Strict Boundary Confinement: Because roaming dogs account for the largest proportion of municipal enforcement calls, owners must regularly inspect gates, boundary fences, and containment runs to ensure dogs cannot stray onto adjoining properties or public roads.
2. Continuous Effective Control: Preventing dogs from rushing at pedestrians, cyclists, or other animals avoids formal classifications or statutory fines.
3. Prompt Microchipping and Annual Renewals: Every dog over three months of age must be registered annually with their local territorial authority. Keeping contact records updated ensures lost pets can be promptly returned home rather than entering overstretched municipal shelters.

Because specific dog control bylaws, registration fee structures, and designated exercise areas differ between districts, owners should regularly check their local council guidelines.

For comprehensive information on nationwide microchipping rules and lead requirements, see our Dog Registration Guide and our Dog Leads, Collars & Harnesses Guide.

Sources

• https://palmerstonnorth.infocouncil.biz/Open/2026/09/CRSCC_20260916_AGN_11337_AT.HTM
• https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0013/latest/DLM374421.html
• https://www.dia.govt.nz/press.nsf/d77da9b523f12931cc256ac5000d19b6/b68387dee0cf1aadcc257d1f0016682a!OpenDocument
• https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0013/latest/DLM374319.html
• https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0013/latest/DLM375410.html