The objects of this Act are—
to make better provision for the care and control of dogs—
by requiring the registration of dogs; and
by making special provision in relation to dangerous dogs and menacing dogs; and
by imposing on the owners of dogs, obligations designed to ensure that dogs do not cause a nuisance to any person and do not injure, endanger, or cause distress to any person; and
by imposing on owners of dogs obligations designed to ensure that dogs do not injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife; and
to make provision in relation to damage caused by dogs.
Section 4(a)(ii): amended, on 1 December 2003, by section 4 of the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 119).