LGOIMA Request Details: LG2441

LG 2441 Information regarding Animal Management and policy.

Thank you for your request for information regarding Animal Control services. 

Please find our responses below: 

There are limited formal prerequisite training opportunities in New Zealand. However, under the Dog Control Act 1996, a territorial authority must be satisfied that any person warranted as a Dog Control Officer is competent to perform the duties and exercise the powers under that Act. 

Competency is assessed during recruitment based on relevant experience and skills, including animal handling, regulatory compliance, enforcement, or similar field-based roles. 

Following appointment, officers receive on-the-job training, in-house instruction, and external professional development. This includes training in dog control legislation and bylaws, animal handling, compliance and enforcement processes, health and safety, and customer interaction. External training (e.g. via the New Zealand Institute of Animal Management) may also be undertaken where appropriate. 

The Manawatū District Council pound has capacity for up to 12 dogs at any one time. 

Manawatū District Council operates a shared Animal Control service with a neighbouring territorial authority, employing five full-time Animal Control Officers and a Manager. 

No. 

Please find our policy enclosed in this link Dog Control Policy

 

Manawatū District Council publishes responses to Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).  We will publish the LGOIMA response along with a summary of the request on our website.  Requests and responses may be paraphrased.  

To protect your privacy, we will not generally publish personal information about you, or information that identifies you.   

If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact the LGOIMA Response Team on 06 323 0000 or by replying to this email.