4 July 2023
Ross Turley (via email)
[FYI request #22991 email]
Dear Ross,
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) 1987 request for
dog registration information
I refer to your official information act request dated 3 June 2023 for dog
registration information.
Our response to the information requested is listed below.
•
The number of dogs in Masterton, and the number living rural.
The number of known dogs Masterton District as of 8 April 2023 - 6,485
The number of known dogs in Masterton urban area 8 April 2023 - 3,283
The number of known dogs in Masterton rural area 8 April 2023 - 3,196
•
The revenue gathered from al the fees.
Full Year Full Year Annual
Forecast Budget
Plan
Row Labels
2022/23 2022/23 2023/24
Income
(553,737) (545,472) (597,897)
Fines / Penalties
(49,564) (38,500) (50,000)
Includes impounding fees and sales of Dog
Other Revenue
(35,611) (40,672) (41,597) collars and worming tablets
Registration Fees
(468,562) (466,300) (506,300)
•
A breakdown of where al the income goes.
Full
Full
Year
Year
Annual
Forecast Budget Plan
Row Labels
2022/23 2022/23 2023/24
Operating Expenditure
523,652 485,693 518,652
Costs associated with running the service such
as Accommodation, Insurance and Vehicle
Operating Expenses
122,091 123,591 129,283 costs
Includes salary, Fringe Benefit Tax,
Employee Costs
358,749 319,845 341,931 Superannuation, Medical Insurance
Internal Charges
26,732
31,922
32,547
Costs such as Subscriptions for Security
Other Expenditure
16,079
10,335
14,891 Devices and Staff Training
Other Expenditure
201,680 194,704 225,468
Internal Charges
8,947
4,168
7,232
Allocation of Corporate Services such as
Customer Services and Front of House, IT
Overheads
166,105 166,110 184,034 Services, HR, Finance, Communications
Depreciation
3,453
4,039
6,885
Interest Expenses
10,699
7,626
15,693
Other Expenditure
12,477
12,761
11,624
Grand Total
171,595 134,925 146,223 Rates funding required
•
Does it just get spent on dog requirements or does any go to other areas to help
fund external projects, or is it al spent beneficial to the dog owners of Masterton
and rural who pay.
No, just dog-related expenses.
•
Can you justify the increase in the last 12 months why this is needed where the
extra income is going.
There are increasing costs due to inflation. For example:
o Insurance
o Vehicle costs
o Supplies for both shelter and vehicles
o Vets costs
•
Can you list all the services available to a paid up dog owner.
There is an officer on cal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this includes public
holidays.
Dog owners who register by 30 June are automatically entered into a prize draw for
one of 3 prize packs.
Dog owners who register by 31 July are automatically entered into a prize draw to
win the cost of their dog registration back.
Dog details loaded onto the National Dog Database, which is accessible to al
councils in New Zealand, if dogs are lost, found or stolen in areas different to where
their dog are registered owners can stil be identified and contacted.
Animal Services wil get in touch with dog owners directly to col ect their dog should
they have been found wandering (not involved in an attack), and their dog is
contained by a member of the public and the member of the public can provide
the registration tag number.
Collecting and keeping safe your dog should your dog be impounded. Dogs are
cleaned out, fed and exercised twice daily to meet with the Animal Welfare Code
requirements. Dogs are kept warm with recycled blankets.
The instal ation of dog poo bins throughout the district and officers emptying the bins
to keep costs low. Dog poo bags are supplied at Henley Lake weekly.
Checking microchips and confirming the microchip number. Officers are also
available to implant a microchip.
Protecting dog owners’ rights to own a dog by dealing with dog-related problems.
Providing dog owners with education on dealing with dog-related problems.
Running the preferred owner scheme, which includes inspection at the owner’s
home.
Officers take a proactive approach when actioning concerns about dogs causing a
nuisance to neighbours or the community. They wil engage with dog owners to offer
options to remedy the nuisance being caused.
Invite directly registered dog owners to take part by giving feedback on the
Masterton Dog Policy review.
We’ll send you a condolence card should you inform the Animal and Bylaws team
that your dog has passed during the registration year.
Registration fees provide funds for:
•
implementing the Dog Control Act 1996
•
responding to reports of uncontrolled dogs
•
receiving and caring for abandoned and impounded dogs
•
monitoring and enforcing the dog control bylaws and policy
•
promoting better care and control of animals
•
taking action against owners of unregistered and uncontrol ed
dogs.
•
providing information and education to local schools and
communities.
•
administration of a dog registration database of over 6,200 dogs
•
carrying out enforcement with non-compliant dog owners.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely,
Steve May
Manager Regulatory
Services
Document Outline
