Farm dogs are getting a break from Wellington North’s new dog bylaw.
The change allows working farm dogs, such as those protecting livestock, to be exempt from a charge of "running at large".
However, the farm dog will be subject to the usual penalties which can range from $250 to $25,000 for a first offence, if the dog is found running at large any distance from the farm where it is supposed to be working.
Other dogs with similar exemptions are a police working dog, a hunting dog, and a dog providing assistance to a human such as a seeing eye dog.
