Dog Microchipping Information
Microchipping of Dogs
Dogs have to be microchipped if they:
- Have been classified as dangerous or menacing on or after the 1st December 2003
- Are being registered for the first time from 1st July 2006
- Are unregistered and are impounded from 1st July 2006
- Are registered and get impounded twice from 1st July 2006.
A dog does not have to be microchipped however if it has already been implanted with one.
Classifications
A dog can be classified as menacing by breed or menacing by behaviour.
Menacing by breed: There are 4 breeds of dog that are classified as menacing breeds these are:
- Brazilian Fila
- Dogo Argentino
- Japanese Tosa
- American Pit Bull Terrier (type of dog)
Menacing by behaviour: This is determined by an animal control officer as a result of a complaint about the dog that led to an investigation conducted by the officer and grounds for the classification were found.
Registration
In cases where dogs are being registered for the first time after 1st July 2006 dog owners will have complied with the microchip provisions by either:
- Making their dog available to the council, for verification that the dog has been implanted with a functioning microchip or
- By providing to the council a certificate issued by a registered veterinary surgeon that either:
- Verifies that the dog has been implanted with a functioning microchip or
- That, for reasons stated in the certificate, the dog will not be in a fit condition to be implanted before a date (specified in the certificate). If this is supplied the owner must then provide within one month after the date specified, a further certificate that verifies the microchip requirement.
Impounding
It is now an offence, in cases where dogs have been impounded and are required to be microchipped, to release that dog back to its owner unless the dog has first been registered and micro-chipped.
Working Dogs
Working dogs are not exempt from the microchip requirement if they have been impounded and are not currently registered, or are currently registered but impounded for the second time in the dog’s lifetime.
Council Microchips
The Animal Control department now offers micro-chipping services. Microchipping is done at the Kaikohe Service Centre and Kaitaia Service Centre on Thursdays between 10.30am and 12noon.
Bookings are essential. To make a booking please contact us.
What to bring
- Microchipping fee
- Your dog
- Lead or leash if necessary
What happens?
- Pay the microchipping fee at the front counter where you will be provided with a receipt
- Take dog to the micro-chipping facility (staff will direct you to this location)
- The animal control officer will microchip your dog
- The animal control officer will provide you with a copy of the microchip information and retain the number for our records
- Once the procedure and paperwork is complete we will update your dog records
Page created/updated: 1 October 2009 at 11:08 am - Go to top
