Dog registration fees to go up despite debt

The Invercargill City Council is owed more than $100,000 in unpaid dog registrations and there is a fear that the debt could climb as the financial squeeze goes on households.

As of May, the council was owed $106,683, which relates to about 1000 dogs.

It comes at a time when the council is also bumping up the fee for the 2022-23 year to help cover costs.

The fees for a ‘‘responsible owner’’ of desexed dogs will go from $50 to $60 per year, and non-sexed from $70 to $75.

Paul Owen of Invercargill, who owns six huskies he races, is one of the many responsible dog owners who make sure they pay the fee each year.

Those with multiple dogs (five or more) pay $310 annually.

Owen said a higher registration fee might deter some owners who were already finding things tough.

However, he acknowledged the council had not increased its fees for three years.

Deputy mayor Nobby Clark raised concerns about the fee increase at a council committee meeting on Tuesday.

He did not believe the council should push up fees simply because it had not done so for a while.

‘‘One of the things we have discussed in the past is if you push it up, especially at a time where there is pressure on families, we will get more people defaulting, and that in itself creates work,’’ Clark said.

Council staffer Trudi Hurst said there were cost increases to its animal services around fuel, equipment, staffing, as well as its after-hours provider.

Cr Ian Pottinger questioned whether the fees should be pushed up when the animal department had cash reserves available.

He asked whether that money was being held for anything.

City finance manager Michael Day said money had been set aside for remedial works at the dog pound.

The reserves available sit at about $160,000 to $180,000 which would be used for capital works, as well as potentially funding a shortfall from dog owners defaulting on their payments.

About 93% of the council’s animal services costs are covered through user charges and the rest is picked up by the ratepayer.

ROBYN EDIE/ STUFF Paul Owen of Invercargill has six huskies, which he also races. From left, Troika, back left, Jesse, front left, Clifford, Bear, on the chair on right, Wolf, front right, and Faelan.