Owners of unregistered dogs in the Queenstown Lakes District are being offered a two week amnesty from tomorrow (Friday), CivicCorp environment manager Jenny Autridge said.

"We are fairly certain that we are dealing with a significant number of dogs in the district that have never been registered. It's a situation that cannot be overlooked particularly in the current climate of new dog legislation and increased awareness of dangerous dogs," Ms Autridge said.

Remiss dog owners were being given a final warning, she said.

"If people come in and registered a previously unregistered dog within the next two weeks then they will not incur an infringement fine," she said.

Those who fail to register previously registered dogs still face a 50 percent penalty.

After the amnesty ended, enforcement staff were scheduled to undertake 'Operation Pooch' an intensive district-wide blitz on dog registration.

"It signifies a change in community tolerance. For those that have never registered their dogs or for those still facing a late penalty, it's a chance to come clean or otherwise face the expensive consequences," Ms Autridge said.

After the amnesty, all owners of unregistered dogs found would cop an instant fine of $300 in addition to registration fees.

"There needs to be some recognition that if people cannot afford to register their dogs, they should question whether they can afford to keep a dog. Nationally there is now a climate of zero tolerance when it comes to dog registration," Ms Autridge said.

Dog registration forms were available on the council website www.qldc.govt or at council and CivicCorp offices in Wanaka and Queenstown.

The amnesty would end at 5pm on Friday 22 September.

ENDS

For more information please contact Jenny Autridge 03 450 0317

By: Sarah