New Zealand’s current dog control framework under the Dog Control Act 1996, now 30 years old, is out of step with contemporary animal behaviour science and modern prevention approaches. There is no consistency between councils in approach and enforcement following a dog bite incident. The Dog Code of Welfare has not been updated in 16 years and there are no regulations to address irresponsible breeding of dogs.

Four people have died in the last four years due to dog attacks. Dog-bite injuries continue to place a significant and ongoing burden on the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), with thousands of claims lodged each year and millions in public cost. Councils report growing numbers of roaming and uncontrolled dogs, contributing to attacks on people, livestock and other animals, and increasing impoundments and euthanasia. These trends highlight systemic gaps in prevention, enforcement consistency, controls for breeding dogs, and responsible ownership measures, underscoring the need for modern, evidence-based reform that prioritises both public safety and animal welfare.

SPCA has engaged with successive ministers for over a decade, consistently calling for meaningful action to address this issue. If we want safer communities, we must focus on prevention and modern, evidence-based legislation, not reactive measures that don’t solve the root problem. What now is needed is leadership from central government.

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Our focus as a country must be on stopping attacks before they happen, not just reacting afterwards. What is urgently needed is a nationwide, evidence-based approach: modern legislation, consistent enforcement, responsible breeding, early behavioural intervention, and public education to stop serious incidents before they happen.

SPCA is calling for:

• An urgent, substantive review of the Dog Control Act 1996, to support evidence-based, nationally consistent risk management, mandatory breeder licensing, and national bite data collection.hopelessly out of date and out of step with evidence-based approaches
• Standardised national guidelines for councils on actions to take following a dog bite incident, to ensure these are proportionate, evidence-based interventions, to allow for earlier intervention and appropriate action and prevent tragedies before they occur.
• Strong, enforceable Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations for dog breeding.
• Immediately progress the draft updated Dog Code of Welfare to set standards to address irresponsible dog breeding and risk factors for aggression.
• Ongoing central funding for nationwide dog desexing initiatives.

SPCA has joined forces with other key organisations to publish an open letter to the Government. Our message is clear: New Zealanders deserve a system that keeps people safe. Dogs deserve one that protects their welfare. Lives depend on it.

2026

Following a fatal dog attack of a 62 year old woman in Kaihū, Northland, Minister Watts announces he is now seeking advice on options to reduce the issues of roaming dogs and dog attacks.

SPCA and other key organisations cosign open letter to the Minister calling for urgent reform of dog legislation, guidelines for councils and central government funding for dog desexing.

SPCA launches Dog Safe Happy Homes resources for families to educate children about dog safety.

2025

SPCA signs petition calling for dog legislation reform to reduce roaming dogs and dog attacks.

SPCA launches Dog Safe Happy Homes resources for teachers to educate children about dog safety.

SPCA meets with Ministers Watts and Hoggard to urge action on dog control reforms to avoid further tragedies.

SPCA writes to Ministers Watts (Local Government) and Hoggard (Associate Minister for Agriculture – Animal Welfare).

Auckland Council and SPCA launch a joint desexing pilot targeting priority suburbs, aiming to de-sex hundreds of at-risk dogs to reduce roaming and aggression.

SPCA submits in support of a petition calling for national guidelines of required actions for councils following dog bite incidents.

A four year old boy died from injuries after a dog attack in Katikati, Bay of Plenty.

2023

A 78 year old woman died after intervening in a dog fight on her Moerewa property in Northland.

SPCA submits draft updated Code of Welfare for Dogs to NAWAC to progress. The updated Code includes evidence-based requirements for breeding, socialising, training and housing of dogs linked to reduced risk of dog bites.

Minister Hoggard issued a directive to NAWAC to pause all work on the Code of Welfare for Dogs, preventing it from progressing.

2022

A 69 year old man was died from a fatal dog attack in Panguru, Northland.

2021

SPCA joins the Dog Bite Prevention Group established by researchers from Starship Children's Hospital.

2016

The Government provides grants to Councils to subsidise dog desexing and Best Practice Guidance for Councils is released.

SPCA submits on the Dog Control Act.

2013

A 31 year old woman died from a fatal dog attack in Auckland.

2010

The Dog Code of Welfare issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, establishing welfare standards for dogs; it has not been comprehensively reviewed since.

2009

Initial national enforcement guidelines for the Dog Control Act issued.

2003

Amendments to the Dog Control Act to increase penalties for owners of dogs involved in serious attacks, strengthen enforcement powers, creation of a national dog database, and introduce muzzling requirements and containment rules.

1996

Dog Control Act 1996 enacted, providing the main legal framework for dog ownership and control in New Zealand; amended periodically but never fully modernised.