Recommendations to Animal Management welcomed

The care and fairness shown by Animal Management Officers (AMOs) to their community, and their respect for dog owners was a key finding in an independent review of the council’s Animal Management practices and procedures.

Far North District Council (FNDC) sought the independent review to ensure it is performing to the best of its ability and to identify opportunities for increasing efficiency and protecting the safety of the community and staff.

The independent audit carried out by Rice Speir, a specialist local government law firm, found that overall the council is performing well, especially considering its limited resources. The experts noted numerous dog control challenges unique to the Far North. These included issues of affordability, lack of knowledge about responsible dog ownership, a large number of ‘backyard breeders’ (which increase the availability of dogs, often given for free), people owning ‘guard dogs’, and the large size of the district with areas having limited phone reception. Historical and cultural norms around owning kurī were also noted.

The experts acknowledged an increase in the number of unregistered, roaming, and not neutered dogs as well as an increase in dog attacks.

The report outlined seven recommendations for the council to:

1. Increase prosecutions - to deter irresponsible dog ownership and ensure owners can be disqualified from keeping dogs.
2. Simplify the process around decision-making to prosecute.
3. Increase communication and engagement with the community.
4. Offer payment plans.
5. Update a number of forms.
6. Enforce compliance with (dangerous dog) classifications - checking compliance within six weeks of serving an owner with a menacing or dangerous dog classification notice.
7. Adopt a diversion policy - an alternative means of resolving offences without going through a formal trial process, e.g. including rehabilitation and community service.

In response to the report Rochelle Deane, Manager – Compliance, says consideration is being given to how best to increase communications and engagement and work within communities to educate about registration and responsible dog ownership.

Other recommendations given the thumbs up were updating and enhancing Notices to Register and other forms, digitising field notes, and a recommendation for further enforcement of menacing dog classifications.

While the council considered all the recommendations carefully, those that would increase costs to ratepayers would be investigated but may not be implemented immediately. These include part-payment options, the proposal of Responsible Dog Owner Licences, and the adoption of a Diversion Policy.

“Some recommendations would have limited impact in the Far North where many offenders are not engaging with AMOs or dog control initiatives. Also, many dogs impounded for roaming are not claimed and no infringement, or ownership disqualification, can be issued. Wherever possible and appropriate, the council will continue to take an educative approach to enforcement in the first instance.”

FNDC currently has one of the lowest dog registration fees in the country. It also provides two months every year when owners can register their dogs without penalties, while most councils allow only one month for this.

The Animal Management Team receives between 2611 and 2969 complaints per year, which amounts to more than seven complaints a day. Nineteen dog owners have been disqualified by FNDC in the last four years.

“Council staff acknowledge the points made by Rice Speir, and we are reassured by the report’s recognition that the council is performing its animal management practices and procedures well, managed by a team of fair, caring and knowledgeable AMOs.”

You can find the report here (subject to redactions pursuant to ss 6(c), 7(2)(f)(i), 7(2)(f)(ii) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1986).