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Christchurch City Council is reviewing its bylaws on the maximum number of dogs you’re allowed to walk at the same time. This comes after an Auckland terrier was mauled to death by four dogs that were loose on a pack outing with a professional dog walker.
With dog bylaws in the spotlight, here’s a roundup of the canine rules that apply across most territories in New Zealand. Our dogs are beloved members of the family. Part of being a responsible pet parent is knowing what you can and can’t do with your pup. We break it down below:
In this article
Dog walking bylaw proposed
In a recent poll, 74% of our Instagram followers said ‘yes’ to the question “Do you feel that there should be a cap on the number of dogs one is allowed to walk at time?”. You can have your say in our Crowdsignal poll on the left.
As mentioned, Christchurch City Council is considering placing a limit on the number of dogs that one person can walk at a time. There currently aren’t any rules on the number of dogs one can walk in New Zealand.
This comes after a terrier named Kippa was brutally attacked by four large dogs during a “pack walk” led by a dog walking business.
Pack walking is often done by professional dog walkers who manage several dogs on one outing. The idea is that the dogs, walking together as a group or “pack,” can socialise and exercise together. This can be beneficial for their mental and physical health. However, it requires the walker to have good control over all the dogs to ensure they are safe and well-behaved during the walk.
This was not the case in the Auckland incident. The walker had dogs tethered to her waist as well as the four dogs that had escaped her grasp. Even for experienced walkers, controlling six dogs at a time can be difficult.
The incident has led many East Auckland residents to share similar frightening encounters with the same dog walking business. It’s also possibly sparked the council’s proposed bylaw.
Dog walking bylaw pushback
But professional dog walkers argue that a dog walking bylaw will restrict their income. It will also raise the price of their service. Others say that this one-size-fits-all approach is unfair to professional dog walkers who know how to handle packs.
As Checkers Dog Walking owner Julia Knoef told Checkpoint:
“For professional dog walkers, what we’d normally do is we’d get those dogs together very carefully before we agree to take them out. Even individually, but certainly before we take them out as part of a smaller group to start with. And then gradually build that into a pack of, you know, up to six or more dogs for the more experienced and trained professionals.”
Additionally, there are worries that the limit might inconvenience dog owners who rely on dog-walking services. This could potentially lead to fewer exercise opportunities for their pets.
There have also been calls to rather require walkers to have certain credentials. In Wellington, for instance, a bylaw requires that all commercial dog walkers have to do a course and pass an exam to be able to walk dogs in public spaces. Either way, it’s clear that something needs to change so that incidents like the above don’t happen again.
Dog bylaws in New Zealand
Laws around walking aren’t the only dog bylaws in New Zealand. Here’s an overview of bylaws that apply to most regions:
Bylaw | Specifics |
Leash requirements | All dogs in NZ must be on a leash when they’re in a public space, unless it’s a specified off-leash area. |
Off-leash areas | Your dog is allowed to roam freely in some parks, beaches, and reserves, but remember that even in these spots they need to be under control at all times. |
Prohibited areas | Some conservation areas, islands, beaches, playgrounds and sports fields strictly prohibit dogs. These rules help protect wildlife and keep public spaces safe. |
Dog fouling | You’re responsible for picking up after your dog. Not doing so can lead to fines. |
Restricted times | In some places, there are specific times, like during the busy summer months, when dogs might be restricted from certain public spaces. |
Dangerous or menacing dogs | Under the Dog Control Act 1996, if your dog is classified as dangerous or menacing, there are stricter rules to follow. For example, your dog may need to wear a muzzle in public and must stay on a leash. |
Dog registration and microchipping | In NZ, all dogs (with the exception of working dogs) need to be microchipped and registered with your local council, and you should always have the registration tag with you when walking your dog. This applies to cats in some regions, too. Check out article on NZ cat bylaws for more on this. |
Public nuisance | If your dog is barking excessively or acting aggressively, you could face penalties. |
Number of dogs | Certain regions have dog bylaws on the number of dogs you’re allowed to own on a property. For instance, in Auckland there are regulations around owning more than two dogs in urban areas. |
Insurance for the unexpected
When your dog is injured or ill, it’s important to have dog insurance so you can get them treatment quickly. Pet insurance could mean the difference between keeping or losing your fur kid. The last thing you want to consider at a time of need is the cost of surgery and treatment costs.
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