Dog Control Bylaw and Dog Control Policy

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Consultation has concluded

The Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw are up for review.

We review our Dog Control Policy and Bylaw every ten years, or earlier if required, and we’d like your feedback during this pre-engagement to help guide possible changes. We will then undertake formal consultation with the community to test the proposed changes.

Whether you own a dog, walk a dog, or have views about dogs, we’re keen to know what you think.

What the Policy and Bylaw do

The Policy sets out why the Council is required to control dogs in Hutt City (i.e. to promote positive dog ownership and to minimise nuisance to the community from dogs). For more information, you can read Council’s current Dog Control Policy.

The Bylaw manages the control, ownership, licensing, prohibition, impounding, and keeping dogs in Lower Hutt. The Bylaw also lists Hutt City’s dog exercise and prohibition areas. For more information, you can read Council’s current Dog Control Bylaw.

The aim of the Policy and the Bylaw is to balance the needs of those people who own dogs, and the needs of the general public. This allows us to be dog friendly while limiting concerning dog behaviour.

The Policy and Bylaw are authorised through the Dog Control Act.

Next steps

Following this pre-engagement, we will develop proposals for change before undertaking formal consultation with the community during March and April 2025.

Please note that the topics covered in this survey may or may not lead to changes to the Policy and Bylaw. Council’s ability to make policy and bylaw changes is determined by a variety of factors, including: cost to ratepayers, resource consent conditions, legislation, and Council’s strategic priorities.

Consultation is open from 17 October until 31 October, 5pm.



The Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw are up for review.

We review our Dog Control Policy and Bylaw every ten years, or earlier if required, and we’d like your feedback during this pre-engagement to help guide possible changes. We will then undertake formal consultation with the community to test the proposed changes.

Whether you own a dog, walk a dog, or have views about dogs, we’re keen to know what you think.

What the Policy and Bylaw do

The Policy sets out why the Council is required to control dogs in Hutt City (i.e. to promote positive dog ownership and to minimise nuisance to the community from dogs). For more information, you can read Council’s current Dog Control Policy.

The Bylaw manages the control, ownership, licensing, prohibition, impounding, and keeping dogs in Lower Hutt. The Bylaw also lists Hutt City’s dog exercise and prohibition areas. For more information, you can read Council’s current Dog Control Bylaw.

The aim of the Policy and the Bylaw is to balance the needs of those people who own dogs, and the needs of the general public. This allows us to be dog friendly while limiting concerning dog behaviour.

The Policy and Bylaw are authorised through the Dog Control Act.

Next steps

Following this pre-engagement, we will develop proposals for change before undertaking formal consultation with the community during March and April 2025.

Please note that the topics covered in this survey may or may not lead to changes to the Policy and Bylaw. Council’s ability to make policy and bylaw changes is determined by a variety of factors, including: cost to ratepayers, resource consent conditions, legislation, and Council’s strategic priorities.

Consultation is open from 17 October until 31 October, 5pm.



  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Let's hear what you think about dogs!

    The Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw are up for review. 


    We review our Dog Control Policy and Bylaw every ten years, or earlier if required, and we’d like your feedback during this pre-engagement to help guide possible changes. 

    Whether you own a dog, walk a dog, or have views about dogs, we’re keen to know what you think! 

    Join us by filling out the survey to help us review our Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw! 

    Privacy Statement 

    We collect personal information from you, including: 

    • whether you are a registered dog owner; 

    • the suburb you live in; 

    • dog exercise areas you use; and 

    • any information you choose to share in the commentary fields of this survey. 

    We collect your personal information in order to: 

    • help narrow down and determine any necessary changes to the Policy and Bylaw; and 

    • improve how we manage dogs in Lower Hutt. 

    Besides our staff, we share this information with: 

    • Elected Members of Council, who will receive anonymised response results.  


    You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at policy@huttcity.govt.nz, or Private Bag 31-912, 30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt.  

    Consultation has concluded
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