Christchurch City Council Animal Control Team Leader Mark Vincent says more than half of the affected owners have been visited to date.

“There are more than 260 registered owners of what are now classified as menacing dogs. The City Council’s Animal Control Officers are visiting dog owners to discuss the new classification, recently introduced by central government, and the Council requirement that they be neutered.”

The breeds and types of dogs that the Council is now required by law to classify as menacing are dogo Argentino, Japanese tosa, Brazilian fila and American pit bull terrier.

“There are currently three dogs registered as dogo Argentino and 265 registered as American pit bull terriers and American pit bull terrier crosses in Christchurch,” says Mr Vincent.

The Animal Control Team will inspect the American pit bull cross dogs to determine their predominant breed and whether they should be classified as menacing.

Aside from being neutered, dogs that are classified as menacing must be muzzled at all times in public and from 1 June 2006 wear a microchip. Anyone in possession of a menacing dog must be advised of the dog’s classification.