Upper Hutt Publishes Dog Control Report for 2024/25 and 2025/26

Upper Hutt City Council has published its Dog Control Policy and Practices Report, required under Section 10A of the Dog Control Act 1996. The report went to Council on 26 August 2026 and covers two financial years together, 2024/25 and 2025/26. The figures below compare the two.

Registration and district dog classifications

For 2025/26, Upper Hutt recorded 6,002 registered dogs out of 6,584 known dogs on its database, representing a slight increase compared to 2024/25 (5,953 registered dogs out of 6,488 known dogs). Classified dogs and owner statuses across the city comprise:

• Menacing dogs: 52 dogs (up from 50 in 2024/25), including 29 classified for posing a threat under Section 33A(1)(b)(i) and 23 classified by Schedule 4 breed or type under Section 33C. During the year, one menacing classification under Section 33A was objected to; following a formal hearing, the classification was upheld.
• Dangerous dogs: Three dogs (down from four in 2024/25, with one dangerous dog having died during the period), comprising two classified for aggressive behaviour under Section 31(1)(b) and one by owner admission under Section 31(1)(c).
• Owner classifications: Two disqualified dog owners (one of whom has left the region) and zero probationary owners (compared to zero for both in 2024/25).

Enforcement, shelter operations, and service requests

The council issued 369 infringement notices in 2025/26, an increase from 298 in 2024/25. Failure to register accounted for 326 notices (over 88% of all infringements issued), while 43 notices were issued for other offences. There were no prosecutions under the Act in either year.

Dog-related complaints and enquiries received decreased from 1,150 to 1,098. The report's table shows straying reports falling from 353 to 267 and barking complaints from 353 to 265, although its executive summary says straying reports increased. Reports relating to attacks saw minor increases, with bite reports rising from 63 to 64 and rushing or startling incidents increasing from 65 to 69. General complaints fell from 47 to 13, while information enquiries increased from 269 to 420.

Impounded dogs that are not released on the same day continue to be housed at the Hutt City Council Animal Service Centre in Seaview. The report also says Animal Control is under some resourcing pressure, with external resourcing used during the period to help maintain service levels.

Guidance for Upper Hutt dog owners

Upper Hutt's Dog Control Policy was adopted on 3 August 2022 and is enforced using the Upper Hutt City Council Dog Control Bylaw 2004. The policy and bylaw are scheduled to be reviewed in 2027. Dog owners are required to register their dogs annually by the first day of each registration year under Section 36 of the Act.

For registration procedures and owner compliance requirements, see our checklist for NZ council dog registration and our complete guide to dog registration in NZ.

Sources

• https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/1/animals/dog-registration/dia-annual-report-2025-2026.pdf