Porirua Releases 2025/26 Animal Control Annual Report

Porirua City Council has released its annual Dog Control Policy and Practices Report for the 2025/26 financial year, fulfilling statutory reporting obligations under Section 10A of the Dog Control Act 1996.

Presented to the Te Puna Kōrero committee, the report outlines registration trends, public complaints, shelter operations, and compliance actions across the city from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

Registration metrics and population management

Porirua had a known dog population of 5,585 at the end of the 2025/26 year, down from 5,631 at the start. As of 30 June 2026, 96.1% of known dogs were recorded as registered; unregistered dogs were reduced from 812 after late penalties to 214 by year end.

Council database records show 78.2% of known dogs are desexed and 96.5% are microchipped. 37% of dogs hold Reduced Registration Fee Category (RRFC) status, and 126 dog owners were issued a Three Plus Permit, which is required for any property with three or more dogs.

As of 30 June 2026, Porirua recorded 13 active dangerous dog classifications under Section 31 and 210 menacing dogs. The menacing total includes 130 dogs classified by Schedule 4 restricted breed (61.5% desexed) and 80 classified due to aggressive behaviour (95% desexed). Council also recorded 13 probationary owners and 14 disqualified owners.

Service requests and community complaints

Animal Control officers responded to 1,753 operational service requests during the reporting period, alongside 1,151 general enquiries and records updates handled by business support staff.

Primary service categories included:

• Roaming and uncontrolled dogs: 918 reports, representing the largest single category of complaints.
• Barking nuisances: 245 investigations, with zero formal abatement notices issued.
• Dog attacks: 99 reported incidents, comprising 43 attacks on people and 56 attacks on domestic animals.
• Aggressive rushing: 78 reported rushing incidents.
• Wandering livestock: 26 callouts for stock on public roads.

Shelter intake and enforcement outcomes

Porirua issued 870 infringement notices during 2025/26, up from 677 the year before. The council attributes the increase mainly to a targeted microchip project, launched in March, aimed at owners who had not supplied microchip details to the council. Major infringements included 512 fines for failing to register a dog, 181 fines for failing to implant a microchip, and 70 fines for failing to comply with menacing dog requirements. Zero formal court prosecutions were initiated during the year.

Council impounded 317 dogs over the reporting period. Of these animals, 202 were claimed and reunited with their owners, 37 dogs were rehomed through approved partner rescue agencies, and 78 dogs were euthanised, a slight decrease on the previous year.

For local registration guidelines, review our checklist for NZ council dog registration and complete guide to dog registration in New Zealand.

Sources

• https://poriruacity.resolve.red/portal/meeting/139/1942?type=1&docId=434