The response to an amnesty offered to owners of unregistered dogs has been disappointing, the Waitaki District Council says.
Dogs had to be registered by July 31, but at that date the council estimated about 10% of previous registrations had not been renewed.
The council then offered an amnesty until October 30 to register the animals, after which a penalty and fine could be imposed.
Up to Friday, there were still 340 unregistered dogs, but the 10% had been reduced to 6.5%, regulatory services manager Lichelle Guyan said.
''We are in the process of contacting dog owners informing them a 10% penalty will be added to their registration fee from November 1 and a $200 infringement [notice] issued,'' she said.
While the council acknowledged some owners struggled to pay for dog registration, it was a legal requirement for dogs to be registered and part of the ongoing cost of owning one.
''We are aware of some people who elect not to pay the fee because they don't believe in the legislation. Unfortunately, this results in additional work for council staff to collect the payment,'' she said.
Some people also seemed to be unaware they must register their dog.
In those instances, the council's animal control staff worked with the individual, advising them of their obligations and giving them a timeframe to register the dog.
''They are made aware that if the registration fee is not paid the dog could be seized and held by council until it is paid,'' she said.
Dogs can be registered at council offices in Oamaru or Palmerston.
