Stray livestock

Reporting stray livestock on the road

Wandering livestock can pose a significant hazard on our roads and they have caused fatal accidents in the Waikato district. Always report stray livestock on the road, whether the animal is alive or dead.

Livestock on local roads

Call Council immediately. Our animal control staff are available 24 hours a day and could be onsite within an hour.

Freephone 0800 492 452

Livestock on the highway

Call the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) immediately.

Freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Police for traffic related reports

Call *555 for free from a mobile phone to contact the Police.

When livestock strays onto your property

Getting help from animal control

Our animal control staff will attend when livestock wanders down the road and onto your property. 

Freephone 0800 492 452

Animal control staff are not obliged to attend when livestock strays onto neighbouring properties through boundary fences or gates. These situations are civic matters covered by the Impounding Act 1955.

Follow these guidelines

These guidelines apply when your neighbour's livestock strays onto your property through a fence or gate.

If it is safe to do so, move the stock back through the fence or gate. Otherwise, keep the stock on your property.

Notify the owner within 24 hours

You can do this personally or by delivering a written notice. Your written notice should include:

• a description of the livestock
• any trespass rates you wish to claim
• or alternatively, any damages you would like to claim instead of trespass rates

For more information, refer to the Impounding Act 1955.

Keep and care for the animal

You must feed and give all necessary care and attention to the animal while they are on your property.

After 48 hours

After 48 hours, you can do one of the following:

• continue to keep the stock on your land
• arrange for the stock to be impounded at Council's stock pound

What happens to impounded livestock

Council uses the following process to manage impounded livestock.

1. Livestock arrives at the stock pound
   Council's animal control staff, or the landowner, will deliver the stock to the pound in a stock trailer or truck.
2. Council advertises stray livestock
   Council will advertise stray stock in local newspapers and on online community pages. Advertising the stock has two purposes. It aims to find the stock owner, who has 7 days to claim their stock. And it details the time and date of auction, if stock is unclaimed.
3. Livestock is claimed or sold
   Livestock owners can apply and pay to release their livestock. Unclaimed livestock is sold by public auction on the date advertised.
4. Council recovers costs
   If the livestock is claimed, the livestock owner will repay any costs to Council and landowners.
   
   If the livestock is sold, the money raised at auction will first go towards costs incurred by Council and landowners.
   
   Any remaining funds belong to the livestock owner and can be collected within 12 months of the sale. However, often the sale proceeds do not fully cover the costs of dealing with stray livestock.

Claiming your livestock

Your costs and liabilities

When your livestock wanders onto private property, you may be liable for:

• damage caused by the stock
• sustenance costs
• trespass rates claimed by the landowner

From a legal perspective you may be liable for criminal charges if your stock causes a road accident.

When your livestock is impounded, you may be liable for related costs, including:

• transportation to the stock pound
• advertising the lost animal
• impounding fees
• time and mileage for animal control officers
• grazing costs
• any necessary vet treatments

Applying to release impounded livestock

Before you apply

When you receive notice that your livestock has strayed or has been impounded, contact Council.

You will need to provide:

• a description of your livestock
• NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing) numbers for deer or cows

Council will:

• confirm whether the animals are yours
• inform you of the costs for impounding and caring for the animals

You can then apply to have your livestock released.

Fees and charges

You will need to repay Council for any costs related to impounding and caring for your livestock.

How to apply

1. Fill in the form

   Download the form or get a copy from your nearest Waikato District Council office or library.

   Application to release impounded stock (PDF 78KB)

2. Provide proof of identity
   Take your completed form and proof of identity (such as a driver licence) to your nearest Waikato District Council office or library.
3. Pay fees and charges
   Repay Council for any costs related to impounding and caring for your livestock.
   

What happens next

You can collect your livestock from the stock pound. Use your own transport or pay Council for transport services. Contact our animal control staff to arrange a collection time.

Freephone 0800 492 452

Related legislation

Who to contact for more help

Talk to our animal control staff.

We can:

• attend to stray livestock that has been on the road
• transport stray livestock
• assist with your application to release impounded livestock

Freephone 0800 492 452