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If you've got a problem involving your dog, your rights, and the law, then you're on the right page.
Right people
If you're looking for the animal law specialist you can trust to avoid the common traps and oversights in the dog law process, you've found the right people.
Smart solutions
If you're looking for information, advice, or representation and wondering what you should do next, we can help you sort out a next step that's smarter, safer and cost-effective.
We understand that, when your dog or your family is at risk, then it's likely to be especially upsetting, frustrating, and stressful.
It's even tougher when you're unsure about what to do next, knowing that a wrong move early in the process can come back to bite you later.
But there’s no need to do it alone. In fact, because of the common mistakes, traps, and pitfalls in the legal process, we recommend that you don’t.
By getting legal assistance as soon as a potential problem arises (and certainly before you give statements or undertakings), you can avoid any well-intended actions that more-often-than-not, create more problems for you than they solve.
Protecting You, Your Dog, and Your Legal Rights
At Guardianz, legal issues involving dogs are something we regularly deal with.
We've helped people find solutions for all sorts of dog-related legal problems, including, for example:​
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Dog control issues involving councils, neighbors, and neighborhoods
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Ownership disputes
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Contractual issues involving dogs
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Animal service standards and service performance
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Reviewing Wills, Trusts and Bequests involving dogs
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Disputes involving injury or death of a dog
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Many other issues, disputes and concerns related to wider civil, criminal, and commercial issues involving dogs.
So yes, we can help you too.
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"It was such a relief to talk to people who care and are specialised in both the legal side of these matters as well as the animal welfare aspects. Their meticulous strategy, diligent planning, and commitment to really fight for us resulted in a far better outcome than any of us had expected."
T. Tapara, whose dog was returned home in time for Christmas
About us
Guardianz is a law practice that specialises in the niche field of animal law, a complex web of legislation, regulations, codes, policies, and people.
I’m Ian Robertson, the Principal of Guardianz. I’ve combined my career experience, starting as a clinical veterinarian, then adding a law degree, and subsequently working as a prosecutor for the Ministry of Primary Industries. Today, I leverage this unique blend of expertise as a defence barrister, specialising exclusively in the field of animal law.
Animal law is not just one of the things I do; it’s the entire focus of my work as a lawyer. I teach, publish, present, advise, and assist people, organisations, and other lawyers with any legal issue that directly or indirectly involves an animal.
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So, if you're thinking that the lifelong career looking after people and animals means I genuinely care - a LOT - about animal law being done well and the outcome you get, then you'd be right!
Ian has quite literally 'written the book' on Animals, Welfare, and the Law, which proved so popular that a second edition is scheduled for publication in 2025.
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The book is used to teach undergraduate and postgraduate lawyers, veterinarians, and other professionals on the specialized subject of animal law. It is also frequently referenced in work advising, assisting, and guiding lawyers, strategists, and professionals dealing with animal law matters.
H. Ferguson
To put it bluntly, that uncommon combination of veterinary, prosecution, and defence lawyer careers, provides real-world insights and problem-solving capabilities that are relevant to your case and solutions involving:
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your dog including their breed, age, environment, experience and a host of other factors relevant to avoiding your dog from being seen as 'just another dog'; and
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the realities you face as a dog owner, and
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what works (and what doesn’t) in putting all that, and more, together as an effective legal argument for you.
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'Guardianz' is made up of myself and the team of independent and collaborating lawyers and experts that I work with who have demonstrated top-tier skills, interests and capabilities in the niche field of animal law.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Personally, I like that bit where you stand back with an owner or colleague and both nod our heads in agreement that “that’s the best outcome”.
My role in that equation is to put the specialists eye over your situation to identify the way to get you that 'best outcome'. One of the lawyers I work with put it this way: 'It's those often overlooked but pivotal details that you see with your veterinary-legal background which routinely end up making a huge difference for the case and the client'.
What are the pivotal points to getting you the outcome you're looking for? Let's see.
How Guardianz
works for you
Our philosophy is to help you navigate the labyrinth of rules, regulations, and the all-too-common trip-ups, traps, and pitfalls in a way that is safe, smart, and cost-effective.
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As the Principal of Guardianz, I personally assess the emails, requests, and files that come to us.
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After that review, I draw on decades of veterinary-legal experience, insights, and networks to identify the right people, options, and the smartest next step forward that best fits you.
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As many people attest from their own experience, choosing the right team from the start is one of the most critical steps in achieving your 'best' outcome.
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I collaborate with independent and collaborating lawyers and experts to tailor solutions to your specific situation, considering multiple factors such as your location, the circumstances, and the nature of the problem involving your dog.
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​We place a strong emphasis on leveraging our insider knowledge, experience, and thorough research, along with a deep understanding of this area of law, to inform our discussions on your behalf. Our goal is to resolve concerns as efficiently as possible, ideally avoiding the need for you to go to court.
However, if circumstances require courtroom representation, we have the resources, know-who and know-how to put together a team of lawyers and experts to provide you with strong, smart, and determined representation when needed.
Options 1, 2 or 3:
What suits your needs, your pocket, your situation?
We don't want to read about you settling for an average outcome. One way or another, we'd prefer to help you get your best possible outcome. That’s why Guardianz offers you a unique three-tiered service, providing easy access to expert guidance that helps you avoid the common pitfalls:
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Letter of Advice
This option suits people who are looking to get:
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a brief specialist's appraisal about your legal position and potential risks,
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guidance on your options and what to do next, and
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recommended do’s and don’ts.
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Letters of Advice are tailored to address the key areas we identify from the information you provide to us and are informed by our years of experience assisting other people who have been in a similar position to you.
The Letter of Advice option is like your personalised guidance report. It's popular because it avoids the time, complexity, and cost of a formal legal opinion, while still providing you with essential guidance on next steps - quickly, easily, and at a cost that's much lower than a lawyer's standard fees.
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To find out more about getting a Letter of Advice, simply:
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click the 'contact us' button,
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fill in the form and tell us you're interested in option 1, then
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we'll be right back in touch with you.
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Phone Call Consultation
This option suits people who:​
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are facing complex or urgent problems involving their dog, or
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have tight time frames to make a decision about the best next step, or
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simply prefer to talk things through directly with the specialist.
Like doctors, veterinarians, and other professionals, we run a system of scheduled appointments and advance bookings.
However, while it's common practice to speak to a specialist only after speaking with a general practitioner, here you can speak directly with the specialist.
​​​To reserve your consultation simply:
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click the link below, then
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follow the steps to choose a time that suits you.
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Emergency or priority calls are available, subject to availability. In such instances, please reserve the earliest possible consultation time on our online booking system, then click the 'Contact Us' button to let us know if you'd prefer an alternative time, if available.
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Legal Representation & Referrals
This option suits people who:
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have already identified that they need, or want, a lawyer’s assistance in handling their file, or
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are lawyers seeking to refer a matter or instruct a specialist barrister on a client's file.
Choosing the right team from the start is often the most critical step in achieving the best outcome.
So, if your case requires specialist legal input or representation:
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we'll be your attending specialist, and
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we'll work alongside selected lawyers and experts who are best suited to handle your case, and
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we'll ensure that you have the right team, right from the start.
Simply:
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click the 'contact us' button,
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fill in the form and tell us you're interested in option 3, then
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we'll be right back in touch with you.
How do you want to look back on things in 12 months?
What's the best that could happen?
What's the worst?
Smart steps taken at the right time are routinely key factors that affect your outcomes in these matters, so your next step is simply to fill in this contact form. It’s easy, it's free, and should take you just 2 minutes.
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CONTACT US
You can help us to help you by using the 'Message' section in this form to tell us:
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Where you are in the country
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Key dates and details about the problem that you're facing; and
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What you would like to see as the outcome.
"Bottom line," it doesn’t matter where you are in New Zealand; one way or another, we can help you put your best case forward.