Rotorua Council demands national review of NZ's outdated dog laws

Rotorua Lakes Council has unanimously backed a proposal to push for a national review of New Zealand's dog control laws. The move comes after a series of serious dog attacks in the region and across the country. Mayor Tania Tapsell highlighted these incidents as a key reason for seeking stronger regulations.

The council will now submit a remit to Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), calling for a 'focused review' of the Dog Control Act 1996. For the proposal to proceed, it must first gain support from at least five other councils and pass LGNZ's screening process. If successful, it will be discussed at LGNZ's Annual General Meeting on July 29.

The suggested changes include mandatory microchipping for dogs, tougher seizure powers for authorities, and stricter containment rules for high-risk breeds. The proposal also recommends shorter impoundment periods and updated penalties to improve enforcement. Council members argued that dog control is a nationwide issue and cannot be effectively managed by local authorities alone. No other New Zealand councils have publicly called for a review of the current legislation. Rotorua's decision marks the first formal push for changes to the 28-year-old law.

The next step depends on whether the remit gains enough support from other councils. If approved, LGNZ will consider the proposal at its upcoming meeting. Any changes to the Dog Control Act would then require further government action.