Although her message humoured many, Ms Schutte says she was approaching the Council from a place of frustration.

She says that the proposed new by-law "really annoyed me because dog access in Auckland is already so limited. What are we paying $135 a year to the council for dog registration if we have barely any rights? But cats can roam free and don't have to be registered, doesn't make sense to me".

"I thought it would be funny to see the Council's take on my message, considering the biggest point that cats do not have to be registered, yet have free roam. It's all a bit of a joke at the end of the day, but still frustrating as a responsible dog owner."

The Council's Animal Management manager Sarah Anderson says that the registration fees "help ensure dogs are a positive part of Auckland life".

Ms Anderson says that fees go towards "a 24/7 response to dog attacks, reducing nuisance from roaming or barking dogs, managing animal shelters, reuniting lost dogs with owners and education on dogs, safety and other related issues".

"Last year, Auckland Council Management responded to more than 40,000 requests for service"

Ms Anderson did not comment on whether Lettie's new identity would excuse her from registration fees.

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