Bohdi will no longer have to wear a muzzle when he leaves his house with owners David Lundin and Sarah Lester, who objected to the council's classification of their pet as ''menacing'' following an incident earlier this year.
Their objection was heard at a hearing this week by Crs Ella Lawton, ''Ferg'' Ferguson and Calum MacLeod, who granted the couple's request to rescind the classification.
The news was ''fantastic'', Miss Lester told the Otago Daily Times.
''We're stoked. We're just really glad that they could see that we were being genuine and honest and responsible as dog owners and that it was an unfortunate incident that took place.
''I can see why the council did what they did but at the end of the day, with a bit more information about the whole situation they actually realised that it [the classification] was just one step too far.''
After escaping for the first time from the couple's usually well-secured property in May, Bohdi allegedly rushed and showed aggression towards three tradespeople working nearby, then barked and snarled at the council's animal control officer.
His owners said it was a one-off and Bohdi had always been friendly and gentle.
They provided references from a boarding kennel owner, a neighbour and a dog behaviourist they hired to work with Bohdi.
Miss Lester said yesterday she would ''definitely be taking the dog for a lovely, big walk muzzle-free when I get home, head held high.''
The couple planned to celebrate the news and Bohdi ''might even get a dog treat'', she said, laughing.
Cr Lawton declined to comment on the reasons for the hearing panel's decision until a written report is completed in the next week or two.
