Dog owner responsibilities

The obligations of dog owners are contained in Section 5 of the Dog Control Act 1996. These are:

1. (a) To ensure that the dog is registered in accordance with this Act, and that all relevant territorial authorities are promptly notified of any change of address or ownership of the dog;
   (b) To ensure that the dog is kept under control at all times;
   (c) To ensure that the dog receives proper care and attention and is supplied with proper and sufficient food, water and  shelter;
   (d) To ensure that the dog receives adequate exercise;
   (e) To take all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not cause a nuisance to any other person, whether by persistent and loud barking or howling or by any other means;
   (f) To take all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not injure, endanger, intimidate, or otherwise cause distress to any person;
   (g) To take all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife;
   (h) To take all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not damage or endanger any property belonging to any other person;
   (i) To comply with the requirements of this Act and of all regulations and bylaws made under this Act.
2. Nothing in this Act limits the obligations of any owner of a dog to comply with the requirements of any other Act or of any regulations or bylaws regulating the control, keeping, and treatment of dogs.