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Escalating numbers of roaming dogs has prompted Auckland Council to make a plea to “irresponsible” owners as its annual Animal Management report details record levels of impoundments.
The report shows roaming dogs are a persistent issue for Auckland, with an unprecedented 16,739 reports made to the council during the year. Dog attacks remain at unacceptably high levels, with a record 1,341 reported attacks on people and 1,253 attacks on other animals.
Animal Management Manager Elly Waitoa says the council is doing all it can to tackle Auckland’s dog problems, but irresponsible owners are continuing to put people, other animals, and the dogs themselves at risk.
“Our staff work incredibly hard to keep Aucklanders safe from dog-related harm. Unfortunately, we are still seeing people not registering or desexing their dogs and not keeping them contained on their properties, leading to an endless cycle of more litters, more roaming dogs and more attacks. It gets harder each year to keep on top of.”
Almost 40,000 requests for service during the year saw a record number of 10, 214 dogs impounded, — up 23 per cent from the previous year. This has meant that its three shelters have been operating at or near capacity at all times.
Waitoa says that one reason for the increase is that Auckland Council is seeing increasing numbers of dumped litters of puppies coming through shelters.
“Around 22 per cent of dogs impounded in 2025 were puppies under three months old, and this included over 200 litters of three puppies or more. There is a clear link between high numbers of unwanted puppies, and the fact most roaming dogs are not desexed.”
An excess of cheap or free available puppies may be one reason why many dog owners don’t bother collecting their dogs when they are impounded. Only 35 per cent of owners claimed their dogs from shelters within the seven-day impoundment period — the lowest ever recorded rate by a significant margin — resulting in a 60 per cent euthanasia rate for impounded dogs.
“This is unacceptable to the public and it’s unacceptable for us,” says Waitoa.
“Our staff are all dog-lovers, and the high euthanasia rate puts a significant toll on them. But when you have shelters full of unregistered dogs with behaviour issues that cannot be safely rehomed, no one coming in to claim them, and more aggressive dogs on the streets needing to be impounded every day, there is no other option.”
Waitoa says that if she had one message for dog owners, it would be for them to please desex their dogs.
“Desexing is one of the simplest, most effective steps dog owners can take to break this cycle. It reduces aggression, lowers the likelihood of roaming and attacks, and decreases the number of dogs ending up in shelters. It benefits both the dogs and the community.”
