Abbey van der Plas, who owns two dogs classified as menacing by breed said she will lobbying the government to get breed specific legislature taken out of the dog control act.

The Christchurch City Council has backed down on its order to muzzle "menacing" pets even at home and apologised to dog owners.

The council last week sent a letter to 159 owners of dogs classified as menacing, informing them their animals must be muzzled at all times, unless secured in a cage or vehicle. Dog owners reacted with horror, labelling the move "outrageous".

On Monday, consenting and compliance general manager Leonie Rae said the council had reversed the decision after receiving legal advice.

IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF The city council has ditched new muzzling requirements for dangerous dogs after receiving legal advice.

"[The Animal Management Team] were acting on the basis of a legal interpretation of what it means for a dog to be "at large". This week we sought an urgent legal review of that interpretation in response to the feedback we received from the public."

She said the new legal opinion lead the council to believe a court was unlikely to uphold a requirement for menacing dogs to be muzzled while at home.

"This is contrary to the information the Animal Management Team sent out to owners of menacing dogs earlier this month. We're sorry for any confusion and upset that we have caused."

Rae said the council made the initial decision to prevent other animals and people from being harmed. It would be writing to the owners of dogs with dangerous or menacing dog classifications to update them of the changes.

Abbey van der Plas, founder of Christchurch Bull Breed Dog Rescue and among those who received a letter, said she was "stoked" with the outcome.

"We were expecting this and anything else would've been just as outrageous as the original letter.

Van der Plas said she was upset the council made its decision from a legal perspective and not based on the welfare of the dogs.

"I'm a bit upset that in their statement the reason they give for the back down is that their new legal advice on these restrictions would not stand up in court. Nothing to do with the fact it is a cruel act and against animal welfare."

She said the group wants breed-specific legislation taken out of the Dog Control Act.

"We will be lobbying the government to get it changed."

Kuri dog training centre director Geoff Bowers also welcomed the change of heart.

"It's fantastic news really," he said, "Common sense prevails."

He said it was disappointing the council did not speak to people and plan before making a decision.

"It makes me concerned they're not doing their homework.

"They need to implement the proper training so the dogs don't suffer."

Bowers said using muzzles could be useful as long as owners were taught how to use them correctly.

"It's something the council should offer as a service," he said.

Council chief executive Karleen Edwards said since March 2017, the council had been asked to investigate 234 complaints about dogs attacking people, stock, poultry or domestic animals. That prompted it to seek legal advice around its interpretation of "menacing" animals.

Five breeds are automatically classified as menacing: Brazilian Fila, Dog Argentino, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull and Perro de Presa Canario.