In this section

  • Barking Dogs

    neighbours dog barking dog wont be quiet; steps to take

  • Found/Adoptable Dogs

    A listing of any current found dogs which may be available for re-homing.

  • Legislation

    Information about the dog control legislation.

  • Lost or Found Dog

    How to report a missing, lost, found or problem dogs Reporting lost, found or problem dogs

  • Microchipping

    The reason for microchipping and classification for not microchipping a working dog

  • Multi-dog Licence

    How many dogs you can have on your property, and how to go about applying for a licence to have more, if required.

  • My Dog Has Died

    What to do when the dog dies or is given away or sold. In the sad event of the passing of your dog please let us know so that we can update the database.

  • Notice Board

    Regular advice on when registration is due and any penalties issued, tips on caring for dogs, when and where microchipping clinics are held

  • Dog registration
  • Section 10A Reports
  • Shifting?

    How to advise changes to where you or your dog live in Selwyn or shifting from Selwyn.

  • Where Can My Dog Go (or not go)?

    List of places that dogs are banned in Selwyn District

  • Complaints

    How to make dog and stock complaints and what details are needed.

  • Fees and Charges

    Fees and charges relating to dogs.

  • Useful Links

    Dog Control Act, Dog Control Bylaw, SPCA website

  • Forms

    Forms available to fill in relating to dogs.

Selwyn is a great place for dogs and their owners.

Half of all the households in the district have at least one dog, with more than 16,000 dogs in total.

We have a few rules for the safety of both the dogs and the community. Some of these are set down in the Dog Control Legislation and some in the Animal Welfare Act. Others are contained in our Bylaw [PDF, 361 KB]. And some are just plain common-sense.

Here are the main ones:

  • All dogs must be registered when they reach 3 months of age. Registration is thereafter due annually on 1 July each year. All dogs, other than working dogs*, must have a microchip ID implanted beneath their skin if their first registration was on or after 1 July 2006 anywhere in New Zealand. This is not required for dogs who were first registered before then, except those classified as dangerous or menacing, or those that have been impounded. The council provides a monthly microchipping service which is free for dogs who are legally required to be microchipped. * A working dog is any dog kept solely or principally for the purposes of herding or driving stock.
  • Dogs must be on a lead in townships, and confined by leash or chain while on open trays of vehicles.
  • Owners must remove faeces left by their dog(s) and must carry a suitable receptacle for the removal of such material.
  • Dog owners must have their dogs under proper control at all times. If a dog is found not under control or at large, the Animal Control Officer may seize the dog and either return it to its owner or impound it.
  • Owners must provide a dog-free accessway to their front door for visitors, couriers and emergency services (even harmless dogs may appear intimidating to some people).
  • The owner of any dog shall ensure that the dog receives proper care and attention and is supplied with proper and sufficient food, water and shelter.
  • The owner of any dog shall ensure that the dog receives adequate exercise.

The Animal Control team can help you 24/7. We are the first to call for lost and found dogs, complaints about dogs including when you don’t feel safe, registration, bite prevention education programs for schools and groups and farm animals on the road.

Selwyn District Council Animal Control ‘keeping people safe.’

Contacting us

Please phone our 24 hour line in the first instance.

Alternatively, you can contact us if you can't find the information you are looking for on our website.