Almost all of Tasman district's 64 dogs classified as menacing have been microchipped, more than a year after government regulations made it compulsory.
The Tasman District Council's resource consents manager, Jean Hodson, said this meant 90 percent of all menacing dogs in the district were now microchipped.
However, it was possible that more had been microchipped but the owners had not supplied the council with a certificate proving the procedure had been done.
In Nelson city, 15 dangerous dogs and 44 menacing dogs, or 70 percent of the total classified as such, had now been microchipped, a Nelson City Council spokeswoman said.
Dogs classified as menacing were those that posed a threat to people, animals and wildlife, or those belonging to a particular breed officially recognised in New Zealand.
Dangerous dogs were classified as such after a sworn statement from a witness that a dog had behaved aggressively towards people or animals. These dogs have to be muzzled in public.
A Tasman council report on dog control policy and practices shows that only one dog in the district is classified as dangerous.
All dogs first registered on or after July 1, 2006 and all dogs classified as dangerous or menacing since December 1, 2003 have to be microchipped. However, dogs used for driving and herding stock are exempt.
"Most people have been very good, and vets and the SPCA have been incredibly supportive of the microchipping process," Ms Hodson said.
All dogs handled by the SPCA needed to be registered and microchipped when they were re-homed, she said.
Of Nelson city's 4312 registered dogs, 15 percent, or 653 dogs, now have a chip. The spokeswoman said the council was happy with progress, considering that only 6 percent were microchipped six months after the new laws were introduced.
Only 10 percent of Tasman district's 9600 dogs had been microchipped, but the council was happy with progress, Ms Hodson said.
"Once people are sent a reminder letter, they're generally very good at getting it done straight away. We're expecting a couple of hundred more within the next two months."
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