1	Title
2	Commencement
3	Principal regulations
4	New regulations 15A and 15B inserted
	15A	Prolonged tethering of dogs
	15B	Tethering of vulnerable dogs
	Explanatory note
	Administrative Information

Regulations

1 Title

These regulations are the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2025.

2 Commencement

These regulations come into force on 25 September 2025.

3 Principal regulations

These regulations amend the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018.

4 New regulations 15A and 15B inserted

After regulation 15, insert:

15A Prolonged tethering of dogs

(1)

The owner of, and every person in charge of, a dog must not tether the dog if 2 or more signs of prolonged tethering are evident.

(2)

However, subclause (1) does not apply if the tether is used under constant supervision to prevent injury to any human or animal during veterinary treatment or handling.

(3)

A person who fails to comply with this regulation commits an infringement offence and is liable to—

(a)

an infringement fee of $500; or

(b)

a fine imposed by a court not exceeding $1,500.

(4)

A person has a defence to a prosecution against this regulation if—

(a)

a veterinarian has advised, in writing, that the dog should be tethered despite 2 or more signs of prolonged tethering being evident; and

(b)

the tethering was carried out in accordance with that veterinary advice.

(5)

In this regulation,—

signs of prolonged tethering means any of the following:

(a)

heavily worn surfaces within the tether area:

(b)

an accumulation of faeces or a strong smell of ammonia within the tether area:

(c)

excessive destruction of the ground or objects within the tether area:

(d)

the dog has a collar or tether that is locked or cannot be released without the use of tools:

(e)

the dog has an injury (such as a pressure sore, skin abrasion, cut, or swelling) that is—

(i)

caused by the collar or tether; or

(ii)

otherwise the result of the dog being tethered:

(f)

the dog has fly strike dermatitis:

(g)

the dog displays signs of excessive frustration (such as excessive barking, pacing, over-grooming, or self-mutilation)

tether area means the area that the dog can reach while tethered.

15B Tethering of vulnerable dogs

(1)

The owner of, and every person in charge of, a vulnerable dog must not tether the dog when the dog is on land or premises owned or occupied by that person.

(2)

However, subclause (1) does not apply if the tethering is temporary and, subject to subclause (3),—

(a)

is reasonably necessary to enable the owner or person in charge (or a person acting under their direction) to carry out a temporary task or activity; or

(b)

is for the purpose of preventing injury to any human or animal during veterinary treatment or handling; or

(c)

is for the purpose of handling the vulnerable dog for therapeutic purposes, including preventative treatment; or

(d)

is done by—

(i)

an inspector or auxiliary officer while performing or exercising their functions, duties, or powers under the Animal Welfare Act 1999; or

(ii)

a dog control officer, dog ranger, or warranted officer performing or exercising their functions, duties, or powers under the Dog Control Act 1996; or

(e)

in relation to a vulnerable dog in heat, the vulnerable dog is—

(i)

a working dog involved in driving or managing livestock; and

(ii)

working solo or as part of a team comprising only female dogs and neutered male dogs; or

(f)

in relation to a vulnerable dog that is under 6 months of age, the vulnerable dog is training to become a working dog.

(3)

If a person relies on an exception in subclause (2)(a), (b), (c), (e), or (f), the vulnerable dog must be under constant supervision during the period of temporary tethering.

(4)

A person who fails to comply with this regulation commits an infringement offence and is liable to—

(a)

an infringement fee of $300; or

(b)

a fine imposed by a court not exceeding $900.

(5)

A person has a defence to a prosecution against this regulation if—

(a)

a veterinarian has advised, in writing, that the vulnerable dog should be tethered; and

(b)

the tethering was carried out in accordance with that veterinary advice.

(6)

In this regulation,—

vulnerable dog means a dog that—

(a)

is under 6 months of age; or

(b)

is in heat; or

(c)

is in its third trimester of pregnancy; or

(d)

is in labour; or

(e)

is giving birth; or

(f)

is nursing; or

(g)

a veterinarian has advised, in writing, should not be tethered

working dog has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Dog Control Act 1996.

Rachel Hayward,
Clerk of the Executive Council.

Explanatory note

This note is not part of the regulations but is intended to indicate their general effect.

These regulations, which come into force on 25 September 2025, amend the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018.

The amendments insert 2 new regulations in relation to dogs. The 2 new regulations—

prohibit the tethering of dogs where 2 or more signs of prolonged tethering are evident; and
prohibit the tethering of vulnerable dogs, except in some temporary situations; and
include related infringement offences.

These amendments provide more enforcement options than are currently available for responding to dog tethering.

Regulatory impact statement

The Ministry for Primary Industries produced a regulatory impact statement on 3 March 2025 to help inform the decisions taken by the Government relating to the contents of this instrument.

A copy of this regulatory impact statement can be found at—

Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2019.

Date of notification in Gazette: 28 August 2025.

These regulations are administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2025