Most people will know someone who expanded their family to include a ‘fur baby’ or two during the Covid-19 pandemic, culminating in a total of almost 7,000 dogs registered in Central. 

Numbers of dogs are growing, up 3.4 per cent on the previous year. The change from 2019/2020 to 2020/2021 was an increase of 5.2 per cent. At last count there were 4,300 dog owners, a 14 per cent rise on last year. 

Central Otago District Council (CODC) employed in-house dog control officer Blair Ridgley in January which has resulted in an increase in first time registration for older dogs in the community who had previously been unregistered.

An earlier shot of dog control officer Blair and his van when it was given a makeover in May 2022

Council statistics show roaming dogs are the biggest issue, with 183 complaints, however this is down by 10 per cent on 2020-2021 numbers. 

Barking complaints increased by 37 per cent, possibly reflecting increased dog numbers and the community being more likely to report barking. 

Blair said barking issues have always been there and his role was to understand why the dog is barking, also offering tips, tricks and training to help.

“I offer advice, if the dog is bored, get them toys… if it is cold, give it a kennel with some warm blankets.

“For [many] it’s a problem of separation anxiety. They’ve had people at home with them for the past two years… and now they’re alone.”

Blair said people thinking of getting a dog need to understand the responsibility; look at costs, training, rules around microchipping as well as dog breed and likely life span.

“A dog only has a brain span of a three to four year old toddler… they need constant training and socialisation. Do you want a three or four year old for up to 18 years?”

He said predominantly dog owners in Central are responsible, aside from “a handful of the same people” he is working with.

Animal Rehab Central (ARC) is a local rescue charity who rescue and rehome dogs and cats in Central. Shirlene Steel, who runs the rescue, said things are looking different in the post pandemic period.

“[Almost] every dog surrendered is around two years old or slightly younger… so they are Covid puppies.

“The excuse given, generally, is that the dog has become aggressive towards children… and that may be the case sometimes.”

Shirlene said in some instances dogs are no longer getting the attention they need, as life has returned to normal and people have gone back to the office or their place of work.

She said she is constrained by how many animals her facility can take in, but at the moment numbers were not too bad. 

“I do get some from the Invercargill pound, they’ve been [poorly] socialised because of Covid… ‘home-able’ dogs get homes really quickly… but then you always end up with the stragglers.”

Shirlene said things are going to continue to get tougher for rescues as the rising costs of living squeeze household budgets further. Organisations such as hers will bear the brunt of more unwanted pets when money is tight.  

Many vet practices are recommending delaying desexing operations for larger dog breeds until they are over one, and the $300 -$400 cost of such procedures can be a fright for new dog owners.

With many doggy daycares or boarding kennels not offering services unless dogs are desexed, Shirlene said problems can escalate. Dogs left at home alone, bored are more likely to bark, or escape and roam.

ARC needs support to keep operating, she said.

“Donations are what we need, every rescue in the country is struggling.”

ARC is a charity which aims to provide care and rehabilitation for the region's animals in need. For more visit: Animal Rehab Central.

To support ARC, or foster or adopt a dog get in touch via email.

Information on CODC’s dog control policy and practices can be found here and the best dog exercise areas are listed here. 

Blair hopes to have a ‘responsible dog ownership booklet’ specific to Central ready for distribution prior to Christmas.

Lab cross Benji (2) living his best life during a frosty Central walk