More than 6000 fines have been issued to Auckland dog owners in October. Photo: File image / Stuff
More than 6000 fines have been dished out to Auckland dog owners who have repeatedly ignored warnings from Auckland Council to register their pets.
Auckland Council has been cracking down on dog owners to register their dogs or be hit with an infringement fine of $300, or face the court.
As of 1 October, 6027 infringement notices were sent to dog owners who ignored earlier warnings - an increase of about 7.5 percent on last year's 5572.
The fines were sent after earlier pre-infringement notices in August to 21,600 to dog owners, by email and post, and an extension of the usual deadline by two weeks to give people extra time to pay.
Animal Management manager Elly Waitoa said the lack of progress was deeply disappointing.
"Frankly, we're frustrated," Waitoa said.
"We've done everything we can to make it easy for people - multiple reminders, extended grace periods, and clear communication - but too many dog owners are still refusing to meet their basic responsibilities."
In February, council sent out 5572 infringement notices to dog owners.
Council figures show more than 29,084 dogs remain unregistered by their owners as of August 1, when council rolled over to charging a late fee.
Waitoa said registration wasn't optional.
"It isn't red tape. It's a legal requirement, and it's how we fund critical animal management services from dealing with roaming dogs to prosecuting owners whose animals attack people or other pets."
She said council data showed a clear link between unregistered dogs and higher rates of roaming and attacks.
Last registration year was the first time council issued bulk infringements, and a total of 3372 infringements totalling more than $910,000 remained outstanding.
While over a third of the dogs who were infringed last year have since been registered, Waitoa said it's still nowhere near enough and the overall level of compliance remains too low.
"It's frustrating and disheartening to see the message still isn't sinking in, that dog owners think the rules don't apply to them.
"The time for leniency and excuses is over - it's about fairness to the majority of dog owners who already do the right thing."
She said owners now have 28 days to pay their fines.
If unpaid, a final reminder will be issued, giving a further 28 days to pay before the infringement is transferred to the Ministry of Justice for enforcement.
"Ignoring the rules won't make them go away. If you haven't registered your dog yet, do it now or face the consequences."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
