If a dog endangers the peace, health or safety of the community, the local council will investigate the situation and may impose a Control Order on the dog in the interest of public safety. The dog owner will also be given an opportunity to try and rectify the situation and explain.
If a dog has harassed, chased or attacked a person or another owned animal, council has the authority under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 to issue a Control Order that would classify that dog to be a Nuisance, Menacing, or Dangerous Dog. These orders will give directions on how the owner is to comply with the order.
In each instance, the council has to undergo a strict process to establish the circumstances that allow a Control Order to be placed on a dog. For very serious cases, the council can impose a Destruction Order on a dog.