Roaming Dogs

Our animal control team here at Grey District Council have extensive experience working with dogs of all breeds, sizes and temperaments. They are highly trained and skilled in responding to various types of situations that they may be called on to handle.

Q) What should I do if I see a roaming dog?

If you see a roaming dog, call us on 03 769 8600 and we will send out an animal control officer to investigate.

If you feel that is safe to do so yourself, secure the dog. Try using a lead or other suitable item to keep the dog secure until animal control arrives.

Dogs that are roaming can cover a lot of ground and are likely to have wandered quite a distance from its home by the time animal control arrive.

Q) What happens if my dog is caught roaming?

We understand that dogs do roam from time to time away from their property. If this is the first time your dog has been reported to Council as roaming, and your dog is registered, it will be returned home as long as someone is there to secure the dog, and only if animal control are working in the area. Otherwise, dogs picked up for roaming will be taken to the Greymouth Animal Shelter (Pound) where the owner will be required to pay a fee to have the dog released.

A person can be disqualified as a dog owner if they receive three or more fines. This means they can no longer own or have a dog.

If the dog attacks a person or animal while it is roaming, a fine or legal prosecution may follow.

REMEMBER: Repeated roaming will result in fines being issued.