FAQs: New dog tethering regulations effective from 25 September 2025

From 25 September, two new regulations will take effect under the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations.

These regulations are world-leading because they focus not on arbitrary and unenforceable aspects of tethering, like time limits or tether lengths, but on the actual harms associated with prolonged or and inappropriate tethering.

They are designed to address situations where dogs are being harmed as a result of being chained or tied up for long periods and to protect vulnerable dogs such as puppies and mothers.

Here’s what you need to know.

For the first time, there will be a clear, enforceable standard to address harmful tethering of dogs.

• Regulation 15A – Prolonged tethering: It will be an offence to tether a dog if two or more “signs of prolonged tethering” are present. These include worn ground, faeces build-up, locked collars or chains, injuries from the tether, fly strike dermatitis, or signs of frustration such as constant barking or pacing.

• Regulation 15B – Vulnerable dogs: It will be an offence to tether vulnerable dogs, except in very limited, temporary, and supervised situations (e.g. vet treatment or meter reader on the property). Vulnerable dogs include puppies under 6 months, dogs in heat, dogs in the final trimester of pregnancy, dogs in labour or nursing.

As with previous regulations, there will be an initial education period where Inspectors focus on helping people understand the new requirements, providing advice and assistance where they can. Fines may still be issued for serious cases, but the focus will be on education first.

You can find the full details on MPI’s website.

Regulations fill the gap between the Animal Welfare Act (which sets broad obligations) and Codes of Welfare (which are not directly enforceable).

This means Inspectors can:

• Intervene earlier where dogs show signs of harm caused by prolonged tethering.

• Stop vulnerable dogs being put at risk by being tied up.

• Use infringement fines to encourage compliance, which has proven more effective than warning letters.

These changes won’t solve every case overnight, but they are an important step forward, giving Inspectors an important tool to protect dogs who previously fell through the cracks.

No. This is not a blanket ban on dog tethering.

The new regulations specifically target harmful ‘life chaining’ of dogs and tethering of vulnerable dogs. Dogs can still be tethered provided they do not show two or more signs of suffering due to prolonged tethering outlined in the regulation. Puppies and other vulnerable categories can still be tethered during specific temporary circumstances, such as during active farm work, or for the time it takes to perform a short task (e.g. bringing in shopping from the car) but must be supervised at all times.

Most dog owners already meet these standards, so the new regulations will have little to no impact on them.

The purpose of these regulations is to create a clear, enforceable standard so Inspectors can step in earlier, before harms become severe.

They allow Inspectors to issue infringement notices where owners fail to comply, providing a stronger incentive than warnings alone.

• Breaching the prolonged tethering rule (15A): $500 infringement fee, or a court fine up to $1,500.

• Breaching the vulnerable dog rule (15B): $300 infringement fee, or a court fine up to $900.

These regulations do not give Inspectors extra powers to seize animals. However, serious cases or continued non-compliance may still result in seizure and possibly prosecution.

SPCA Animal Welfare Inspectors have been working for many years to improve the standards of welfare for tethered dogs, and as such there will not be an overt difference to the public as we continue to operate as we have been. Our preference is to always start at a point of education, and ensuring that pet owners understand the impact their choices make on the welfare of their pets.

Until these regulations came into effect, it was more challenging to hold those accountable for a lack of willingness to correct inappropriate behaviours in management of their dogs on a tether for extended periods of time. Now, when there is a need, the additional power to fine pet owners (via infringement notices) will be available, and additional measures to support more advanced compliance measures, like prosecutions when required.

As with all aspects of compliance, immediate removal of the animal is not always the best approach. Many times the public will expect SPCA to remove animals immediately. This would seem the most straight forward solution, however it does not necessarily lead to overall improvement in animal welfare for those animals, and the wider pet population. Simply removing an animal does not create behaviour change for individuals, and shelters are not an ideal environment for pets either. Our preference would be to make sure that animals can stay with their families when a fair portion of the time neglect is not a result of intentional harm or wrong doing.

Our Animal Welfare Inspectors work collaboratively with individuals to ensure there is awareness of the requirements for good welfare outcomes, and legal needs in the first instance. If this cannot be achieved, additional enforcement measures might be leveraged, including infringements or other notices. In severe cases, or where there is no likely improvement of outcome for that animal in that situation, then removal of the animal will be considered. This process takes time, and the public should not expect to see hundreds of animals being immediately uplifted from homes across Aotearoa.

Anyone who is concerned about a dog’s welfare should lodge an animal welfare complaint with SPCA via our website or contact their nearest SPCA Centre.

Key takeaway:

From 25 September, it is illegal to tether dogs in ways that show signs of prolonged tethering, or to tether vulnerable dogs (like puppies, mothers, or pregnant dogs) except in very short-term, supervised situations.

These regulations won’t affect the vast majority of responsible dog owners - they are aimed at the small minority who keep dogs chained in harmful conditions.