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The government says it will work with local councils to make sure they understand which dogs will be exempt from the incoming microchipping law.
National won a surprise victory over the government this week in getting local government legislation amended to include an exemption for working dogs.
While farmers are celebrating the new law, local councils are scratching their heads over how to enforce it. Their big dilemma, is how to define a working dog.
It would have cost about $3 million a year to microchip 60,000 farm dogs.
"They tried to sell this law on public safety, but microchipping dogs is obviously not going to save one person from being attacked," farmer Kevin Mitchell says.
But local councils are already calling the new law a dogs breakfast.
Central Hawke's Bay mayor Tim Gilbertson says it has created a lot more problems.
The amendment defines working dogs as those used to "herd and drive stock."
However, under the Dog Control Act a working dog also includes guide dogs, companion dogs, hearing ear dogs and police dogs.
The minister responsible for microchipping, Nanaia Mahuta, says the exemption applies only to working farm dogs - not guide dogs or police dogs. She says the challenge for councils will be to accurately define the term.
To add to the controversy, some urban dog owners say they will not comply.
"I have had a pile of emails from members since it was announced last night, just saying they are not going to comply, which is such a pity because up until now they have always been compliant," Chalmers says,
Rural councils who have to enforce the new law in just over a week say they will make the enforcement of microchipping a low priority.
