Keeping Animals in Town
Everyone loves fresh eggs, but if you've a rooster in town crowing at dawn that can be a problem. We are responsible for ensuring animals kept within the urban areas do not cause a nuisance, or are a threat to public health and safety.
If you live in town, some of the animals you can keep are
- Sheep
- Horses
- Goats
- Donkeys
- Chickens
- Roosters
- Bees
You will need to fill out a permit to keep animals in town. There's no fee.
In some instances special conditions may apply, such as a sound proof enclosure for roosters. Please check our bylaw about keeping animals, poultry and bees or contact us if you have any questions.
Keeping of Animals Poultry and Bees Bylaw 2016
There are some animals not permitted in urban areas, including
- Pigs
- Cattle
- Deer
- Thar
Stock On Roads
Our animal management staff follow up all complaints about stock on roads.
Wandering stock is an issue in the District and presents a threat to motorists.
If stock are on the road, they are removed from the road into the nearest paddock if possible. If the owner of the stock cannot be identified, stock are impounded and transported to the Council’s pound.
Repeat incidents are investigated by our Animal Management staff.
Pests
We are not responsible for controlling pests in our urban areas or the countryside. That said, we have a contractor who carries out pest control, including night shooting, on our parks, reserves and cemeteries. We advertise pest control nights on our app Antenno and our Facebook page.
However, we have animal traps for hire. These are available from our main office in Bowler Avenue. They cost $10 a week. You will have to pay a $50 bond, which is refundable.
For more information about pests go to the Environment Southland website.