Bell Block and the New Plymouth District Council dog owners are swiftly obeying orders from the council to register their dogs. A rising number of animal attacks and wandering dogs over the past three years caused the New Plymouth District Council to this year say all dogs would be taken to the pound if discovered unregistered. Since a letter was circulated in March 2013, more than 350 dog owners have responded to the crackdown. The NPDC council plans to employ two extra animal control officers in July 2013 to help combat the unregistered dog problem, after it proved successful in the Hastings district. As well as employing two extra staff the council will increase late registration fees from a 25 per cent extra penalty to 50 per cent in 2014. The extra revenue from this and an increase in dog registration compliance is expected to cover the $120,000 annual cost of hiring and equipping two rangers, on two-year contracts.
