Waitomo Releases 2025/26 Dog Control Annual Report

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

The annual report outlines animal control operations, compliance metrics, and enforcement activities across the district between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

Registration and district dog classifications

At the close of the 2025/26 registration year, Waitomo recorded 2,809 registered dogs on its database, representing a decrease of 137 dogs compared to 2024/25 (2,946 dogs). Classified dogs and owner statuses across the district comprise:

• Menacing dogs: 18 dogs (down from 21 in 2024/25), including 12 classified by Schedule 4 breed under Section 33C(1) and six classified for aggressive behaviour under Section 33A(1)(b)(i).
• Dangerous dogs: Two dogs, both classified following owner admittance in writing under Section 31(1)(c).
• Owner classifications: Four disqualified dog owners and one probationary owner (up from zero in 2024/25).

Enforcement, shelter operations, and service requests

Council animal control officers issued 73 infringement notices during the financial year, an increase from 50 in 2024/25. Failure to register under Section 42 accounted for 52 notices (over 71% of all notices issued). Other infringements included eight notices for failure to keep a dog under control (s53(1)), five for failure to comply with a classification, five for bylaw breaches, two for failure to keep a dog controlled or confined (s52A), and one for a false registration statement. Council initiated zero prosecutions during the period.

Total complaints and service requests received fell by 19% from 561 to 453. Wandering dogs remained the primary complaint category with 291 calls (down from 391), followed by 66 barking complaints, 32 rushing or aggression reports, and 24 attack reports. Council issued zero barking abatement notices, resolving noise issues informally through owner advice.

At the William Street Dog Pound in Te Kuiti, impoundments dropped from 164 to 141 dogs. Of these, 53 dogs were reunited with their owners, 68 were euthanised, 12 were rehomed, two were surrendered to the SPCA, two were classed as other, and two remained at the pound for rehoming.

Guidance for Waitomo dog owners

Waitomo's Dog Control Policy requires all dogs to be on a leash in public places, and dogs are prohibited from sports grounds, children's playgrounds and schools. The Policy and Bylaw were adopted on 30 June 2025 and are not due for review until June 2035. Owners keeping more than two dogs on an urban property must apply for a permit; the property is inspected before it is issued, and the permit can be modified or revoked if conditions are not met. Dogs registered for the first time must be microchipped within two months, with herding dogs exempt.

The report also notes that owners who miss the registration deadline receive a reminder letter and a phone call or visit; dogs that remain unregistered are seized and impounded, and are only released once registered.

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.waitomo.govt.nz/media/paeol2do/2026-07-28-dog-control-policy-and-practices-report-2025-2026.pdf