Domestic Animals Act 1994

A Council of a municipal district must accept any dog or cat kept in that municipal district which is given to the Council by the owner of the animal because the owner is no longer willing or able to care for that animal.

On the Council taking possession of a dog or cat under subsection (1)—

ownership in the dog or cat passes from the owner to the Council; and

the Council must deal with the dog or cat in accordance with this Act, the regulations and any relevant business code of practice.

If a Council accepts a dog under subsection (1) that has exhibited aggressive behaviour or has been involved or suspected of being involved in a dog attack or that is considered to be a restricted breed dog, the Council must give the Secretary the following information—

the municipal district in which the dog was kept before it was given to the Council;

the date that the dog was accepted by the Council;

if the dog has been destroyed, the date on which it was destroyed;

the sex and reproductive status of the dog;

the age, breed and colour of the dog;

the Council reference number for the dog.

The Council must notify the Secretary of the information under subsection (3)—

if the Minister specifies a period of time for the purposes of this subsection, within that period after the date that the dog is accepted by the Council;

in any other case, within 28 days after the date that the dog is accepted by the Council.