The SPCA says it is thrilled with new Government regulations to target prolonged tethering of dogs.
The new rules were announced by Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard and will come into force next month.
Under the new regulations a person must not tether a dog if it results in observable signs of suffering linked to the prolonged tethering.
Certain categories of vulnerable dogs including puppies and pregnant dogs cannot be tethered at all apart from in a few exceptional cases.
“Prolonged tethering causes significant distress to dogs, affecting their health by limiting their freedom to move and perform normal behaviours,” Hoggard said.
The SPCA said it followed work behind the scenes with MPI and the Minister, in combination with the work of other animal rescues and powerful backing from supporters who wrote to the Minister as part of the ‘Break the Chain’ campaign.
More than 20,000 people supported the 2022 ‘Break the Chain’ campaign, while more than 15,000 signed the 2023 ‘Demand the Change’ letter.
SPCA’s Scientific Officer, Dr Alison Vaughan said the regulations send a loud message that long-term chaining of dogs is not acceptable in our society.
“This is a long-fought and hard-won victory for dogs across Aotearoa.”
“These new regulations are the outcome of years of hard work by SPCA’s advocacy function,” she said.
She said too many dogs have suffered, chained for months, years, or even their whole lives.
“This is simply the right thing to do. Dogs deserve to be part of the family, not chained up and forgotten.”
Vaughan said it would mean for the first time, Animal Welfare Inspectors will have a specific enforcement tool to address these situations.
“We know these changes won’t solve every case overnight, but it’s a step forward, and one that will permit our inspectors to act in situations where they couldn’t before.”
Andrew Hoggard said responsible dog owners who love and care for their animals and regularly take them out for walks won’t be affected by the new rules.
“We’ve worked closely with SPCA, farming organisations and other stakeholders to ensure the new rules are both effective and workable, and I acknowledge their support,” he said.
“This Government is committed to animal welfare and received strong public support for this change.”
Under the new rules:
- a person must not tether a dog by a rope, line, or chain attached to a fixed point for extended periods where they suffer harm
- certain categories of vulnerable dogs including puppies and pregnant dogs cannot be tethered at all except in a few exceptional cases, for example when visitors such as a tradesperson or other animals are on the owner’s property temporarily.
There are exceptions to the new rules — for example, working dogs such as farm dogs provided they are regularly off-tether and receive adequate exercise.
The new rules take effect on 25 September 2025 and will enable animal welfare inspectors to issue infringements when they identify a dog is suffering harm from being tied up for long periods.
This change has been enabled through an amendment to the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018.