Balanced News: Rotorua Lakes Council to fine owners of unregistered dogs, offers last chance

The Rotorua Lakes Council in New Zealand is cracking down on dog owners who have not registered their pets, with fines of $300 being issued. The council reported that there are currently around 1,660 unregistered dogs in the district, up to 1,000 more than last year. Factors such as high registration fees, the cost of living crisis, and previous registration extensions due to the Covid-19 pandemic have contributed to the high numbers. Council officers may conduct door-to-door checks, and if owners refuse to register their dogs, infringement notices will be issued. Owners will be given 28 days to pay the outstanding registration and penalty.